The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has demanded immediate dismissal of Manohar Lal Khattar's government in Haryana in the wake of widespread violence that erupted in the state soon after self-proclaimed godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted of rape by a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Panchkula.
The BSP president Mayawati has held the Bharatiya Janata Party's "vote bank politics" and the Khattar government's despicable negligence responsible for yesterday's violence in the state.
Condemning the Haryana BJP government, she said that the government invited violence in the state and later bowed down in front of it in the same manner the BJP government did at the time of Ayodhya violence in 1992.
Also, it said that the army was just used as an exhibition in yesterday's Panchkula violence so that the miscreants could make it an object of ridicule.
The party president also strongly condemned BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj's statement in contempt of judiciary and in support of the rape convicted Ram Rahim.
The violent clashes that erupted across Punjab and Haryana claimed 30 lives in Panchkula and six in Sirsa, while left nearly 269 injured.
In the wake of the tense situation in Punjab, Haryana and neighbouring areas a total of 340 trains have either been cancelled or shortly terminated.
The self-styled godman will be sentenced in the rape case on Monday.
Meanwhile following developments have taken place in the DSS chief rape case:
- 30 died in Panchkula, 6 in Sirsa, 269 injured.
- 552 people arrested, investigation is underway.
- There are about 3000-4000 people at Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa and are vacating gradually.
- No incident reported in last 24 hours.
- Court will be in Sonaria (jail), Rohtak and arrangements being made.
- 34 cases registered so far by Haryana police in the entire process.
- Notification has been issued to make arrangements for sitting of CBI Court in Sunaria District Jail, Panchkula for pronouncement of quantum of sentence against Ram Rahim Singh.
- However, Haryana DGP B S Sandhu has said that, "Ram Rahim Singh won't be produced in Panchkula".
- Deputy Advocate General Gurdas Singh Salwara was sacked after he was reportedly seen carried luggage of Ram Rahim Singh.
- People have vacated Dera Sacha Sauda Ashram in Bajenka village and the whole premises are being inspected by Police and Army in located in Sirsa district of Haryana.
- We found axes, batons, petrol bombs etc there. All objectionable objects have been seized and Dera has been completely vacated says Kaithal DC.
- Curfew will be relaxed, will assess situation, if everything remains peaceful will lift curfew in coming time says SSP Bhatinda, Punjab.
- Post-mortem of the bodies of deceased is underway; 90 people were admitted last night, no case of bullet injury has been found, says CMO, Civil Hospital, Panchkula.
- Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh chaired a high-level meeting to assess the law and order situation in the state after the violence which erupted post Ram Rahim Verdict.
- Punjab Police and Army conducted a flag march in the Moga district of Punjab.
- Police is in the process of establishing the identity of the 28 dead persons says Haryana Chief Secretary Depinder Singh.
Yesterday, Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab - Manohar Lal Khattar and Captain Amarinder Singh issued separate appeals for maintenance of law and order and calm after followers of Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) chief Gurmeeet Ram Rahim went berserk with grief and anger over his conviction on an alleged rape charge.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)