Dera Saccha Sauda leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, convicted of rape, being shifted to Rohtak jail by helicopter from Panchkula, on Friday, August 25, 2017. (Express photo)
After the CBI court in Panchkula convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case, widespread violence erupted in several parts of Punjab and Haryana. At least 31 people have died in the clashes with 28 casualties in Panchkula while Sirsa, the headquarters of the dera, reported three casualties. Violence also spread to Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad with empty buses and train coaches set on fire allegedly by Dera supporters. Section 144 was imposed in several parts of Haryana and Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a tweet Friday night, condemned the violence and said the law and order situation is being monitored closely. “The law & order situation is being closely monitored. I reviewed the situation with NSA & Home Secretary,” PM Modi wrote on Twitter. He further urged officials to work round the clock to restore normalcy and provide all possible assistance.
Haryana violence live updates | See violence after Ram Rahim conviction in pictures
7:22 pm: Addressing a press conference in Panchkula, Haryana DGP BS Sandhu said, that search operations are being held in all Dera Ashrams and there are about 3000-4000 people at Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa and they are vacating gradually.
7:15 pm: In a Facebook post Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj’s defence for Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as “inhuman face” of the Sangh Parivar. “The BJP leader’s question of who was right whether crores of people who revered Ram Rahim as God or the woman who accused him of rape, was a ‘challenge or cruel mockery’ towards womanhood,” Vijayan posted.
6:56 pm: Two cases of sedition has been registered against the Dera chief’s followers, said Haryana Chief Secretary DS Dhesi. The police have also recovered an AK-47 rifle and one Mauser from the vehicle of a Dera chief’s follower, and two rifles and five pistols from another vehicle. As many as 524 persons have been arrested under eight different FIRs registered against the Dera followers, he said.
6:55 pm: Surprised over the non adherence of High Court orders by Haryana in wake of violence that erupted after verdict of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister said, “Our (AAP) stand is that the court orders should be followed. I am surprised why it has not been done (by the ML Khattar government in Haryana).”
6:25 pm: The All India Democratic Woman’s association (AIDWA) demanded additional security for the two women complainants in the rape case against Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The AIDWA, in a press statement, said that in the wake of the wide-spread violence in Punjab and Haryana, the two women should be given adequate security.
5:55 pm: CBI court, Panchkula will on Monday sit in Sunaria jail, Rohtak for the pronouncement of quantum of sentence against self-styled Godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
5:35 pm: Haryana Deputy Advocate General Gurdass Singh Salwara was sacked on Saturday after he reportedly carried luggage of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh while he was taken to jail in Rohtak in a chopper, reports ANI.
5:30 pm: On orders of Haryana police and Army, Dera Sacha Sauda Ashram also under search operation. People have been vacated from the Ashram for further inspection, reports ANI.
5:15 pm: Haryana DGP said, “Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh will not be produced in Panchkula Court and efforts are being made to decide the quantum of sentence through a video- conferencing.” “If a judge is required then the proceedings will be done inside Sonaria Jail,”he added in a quote to ANI.
5:05 pm: ” The government cannot stop people from gathering in large numbers but the State (Haryana) should have,” siad Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh during a press conference.
4:48 pm: “We will be making a list of all the damaged public and private property and as per Punjab and Haryana High Court, the cost will have to be payed by Dera.” He further said, we are prepared for any violence that may occur on the day of sentencing. All the key issues will be covered, said Amarinder Singh.
4:44 pm: “It was a predicted violence, anybody would know that if people are coming for the verdict then a reaction (from the followers) is expected, fault was in allowing people to gather in Panchkula when the verdict was announced,” said the CM.
4:41 pm: “We acted fast on the situation erupted in Punjab, Haryana. Full precaution is being taken to prevent any sort of violence. We condemn the violence against media, nobody in the right mind can accept anything like this,” said Amarinder Singh
4:40 pm: When asked about the transportation to Dera supporters, Punjab CM said people were given buses so that they could be transported safely back to their respective places without any violence.
4:35 pm: As Punjab CM Amarinder Singh addresses the media, he says there were no deaths and lathicharge in Punjab, everything was peaceful. “I will not allow violence of any form from any sect in Punjab,” said the CM.
4:20 pm: Nearly 90 people were admitted at Civil hospital in Panchkula, 17 casualties have been reported and post-mortem is underway, said CMO of Civil Hospital, reports PTI. No cases of bullet injury has been reported since last night, he further added.
4:11 pm: Post rampant violence across Haryana, Punjab, four people have been killed in Sirsa according to the civil hospital doctors, reports PTI. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh chaired a high-level meeting over law and order situation in the state.
4:00 pm: The Ministry of Home Affairs is carefully monitoring the situation in Haryana, Punjab. At present the situation is under control and has been assessed. Home Minister Rajnath Singh to review security, law and order in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir.
3:50 pm: Followers from Rajasthan were seen returning back from Panchkula after the verdict of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Darshan Singh and Mangla Ram from Rajasthan, followers of the Baba Ram Rahim .Express Photo by Gurmeet Singh
3:35 pm: Kaithal police seized objectionable objects like axes, batons, petrol bombs etc during a search operation. Dera in Kaithal has been completely vacated following the conviction of the self- styled godman in Panchkula, reported PTI.
3:30 pm: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor blamed Khattar government for the failure in controlling a predictable crowd violence and he demanded that Manohar Lal Khattar should be sacked for his “transcended failure.”
“The lack of management of predictable crowd violence, where anyone could see people gathering with weapons in advance of the verdict is the major reason behind what has happened,” Tharoor was quoted by PTI.
3:20 pm: Haryana DGP KP Singh said no special treatment was being given to Dera Chief who has been kept in Rohtak’s Sunaria jail. He is under constant monitoring by four officials on duty near his barrack in the jail.
3:10 pm: BSP chief Mayawati demanded dismissal of Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and his government for inadequately handling the situation in Haryana. Mayawati alleged that negligence of the Khattar government was responsible for the loss of lives.
Mayawati said, “The Khattar government should be immediately dismissed for its absolute laxity and involvement leading to large-scale violence after the conviction of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief on rape charges.” “This kind of shameful surrender for politics of vote needed to be condemned by all,” she added in a quote to PTI.
3:05 pm: Following the rampant violence, five people have been arrested for arson in Sriganganagar, police have intensified vigil after rape conviction of self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim, reports PTI.
2:50 pm: Army conducted a flag march their deployment near Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa. See visuals below:
Sirsa: Army personnel conduct a flag march after their deployment near Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa on Saturday , following violence triggered by the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case on Friday. PTI
Sirsa: Army personnel take positions after deployment near Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa on Saturday, following violence triggered by the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case. PTI
Sirsa: Army personnel conduct a flag march after their deployment near Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa on Saturday , following violence triggered by the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case on Friday. PTI
2:35 pm: Meanwhile, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the state government must resign on “moral grounds”. Speaking to repoters, Hooda said, “(State) Govt must resign on moral grounds. If it doesn’t, Centre must impose President’s Rule here.”
2:30 pm: Giving details about the death toll after the violent clashes in Haryana on Friday following the conviction of Ram Rahim in a rape case, Haryana Chief Secretary Depinder Singh said, “28 people have died in Panchkula so far, which includes 24 men, 3 women and a child. Three deaths have been reported from Sirsa.” He further added that all those injured in the clashes are residents of Panchkula. Singh said that the identity of the deceased is still being established and no one has come to claim the bodies so far.
2:15 pm: Total Army Column deployment in Punjab and Haryana: Panchkula- 12, Sirsa- 8, Mansa- 2 and Mankot- 2.
2:10 pm: Speaking at the media conference of Haryana government and police, state Chief Secretary Depinder Singh said that no VIP treatment was given to Ram Rahim Singh after his conviction. “No VIP treatment given to #RamRahimSingh, he was taken through a helicopter purely on security considerations,” Singh said. He also said that the Dera Sacha Sauda chief is getting similar food as all the prisoners. He added that helicopter was arranged by the state government. “Helicopter was arranged by the Haryana Government, they had paid for it,” he said.
2:05 pm: Rajasthan police arrested five persons in Rajasthan’s Sriganganagar district where miscreants torched government buildings on Friday following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a rape case. Speaking to PTI, ADG Law and Order NRK Reddy said, “Five persons involved in arson were arrested last night. The situation is under control now but the force is on alert.”
2:00 pm: Haryana chief secretary Depinder Singh, at a press conference, said Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s “Z plus” security was withdrawn after his conviction in the rape case. Singh further added that two sedition cases have been registered during the entire process. He added that a probe is currently underway.
1:50 pm: BJP Haryana Incharge Anil Jain has now said that all the people who died in clashes on Friday post verdict in Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh case were supporters of Dera Sacha Sauda. He added that all Dera Ashrams are being sealed and Dera HQ at Sirsa is being vacated. He further denied that that Manohar Khattar was summoned to Delhi. “No one has been summoned,” Jain said.
1:44 pm: Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi assures that situation in Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi is normal. During the meeting the Home Minister also discussed the ongoing encounter in Pulwama where 3 security personnel have been martyred while one terrorist was gunned down as encounter continues.
1:41 pm: Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi briefs media after meeting at Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence ends, says important points on internal security were discussed in the meeting including the violence in the state of Punjab and Haryana post Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s conviction.
Also Read: High Court castigates Haryana Govt, says CM Khattar is protecting Dera Sacha Sauda (Read Here)
1:10 pm: Punjab and Haryana High Court also slammed Manohar Khattar government. According to news agency ANI, the bench said, “You let Panchkula burn for political benefits”.
1:05 pm: Punjab and Haryana High Court asked Punjab and Haryana government to submit details of all the properties that are registered under Dera Sacha Sauda’s name. The court also added that it will take a decision on what needs to be done with these properties. The court also directed all the Deputy Commissioners in Haryana to immediately invite claims from people about the damage caused during the riots in the states on Friday after Ram Rahim Singh was convicted in a rape case. To see the horror of the riots in Panchkula in images, CLICK HERE
1:00 pm: BJP President Amit Shah held a meeting with Haryana BJP in-charge Anil Jain at Delhi BJP headquarters to discuss the situation.
12:45 pm: Indian Army has issued an official statement that Army columns have not entered Dera premises in Sirsa, as some media houses reported earlier. The Army has not been given any order so far to enter the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters, Sirsa sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Paramjit Singh Chahal said today, even as the defiant followers of self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh stayed put at the campus. “There is still no order for the Army to enter the campus. They are only ensuring enforcement of curfew in the area,” Chahal said.
12:30 pm: Kurukshetra Police on Saturday sealed 9 congregation centres of Dera Sacha Sauda in the district, PTI reported. As per the reporters, the sect followers were evicted from the centres premises. The officials seized over 2500 lathis and other sharp-edged weapons during the search operation. Kaithal police seized
12:25 pm: Here is an update of the situations in Panchkula, Sirsa and other parts of Haryana:
Curfew that was imposed from 3 pm onwards in Panchkula has been revoked. Uneasy calm prevails in Panchkula. People choose to stay indoors. Markets, educational institutes continue to remain shut.
Army columns deployed in Sirsa. A large number of followers are present inside Dera Sacha Sauda’s headquarters at Sirsa. Armed forces shall make public announcements asking people to evacuate from the dera. Situation tense in Sirsa.
Police/paramilitary begin building cordons around Dera Sacha Sauda branches across Haryana. Deras in Yamunanagar, Karnal sealed.
12:20 pm: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said that the state will remain on high alert for next two days even though curfew is relaxed in all districts. In a series of tweets, Singh wrote, “Just been briefed by DGP, situation peaceful, curfew lifted in 3 districts, relaxed in all others this morning. State on alert for 48 hrs.” He further added: “Grateful to people of Punjab for maintaining peace. All steps being taken to ensure law & order not disturbed at any cost.”
Grateful to people of Punjab for maintaining peace. All steps being taken to ensure law & order not disturbed at any cost.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) August 26, 2017
12:15 pm: Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ram Niwas told PTI that a search has been ordered of all Dera Sacha Sauda centers in Haryana. Speaking to PTI, he said, “Search of all ‘congregation centres’ of Dera Sacha Saud in Haryana ordered.”
12:10 pm: According to reports by NDTV, BJP President Amit Shah rally in New Delhi has been cancelled. sources also told the news channel that CM Manohar Lal Khattar has not been summoned to New Delhi.
12:00 pm: Army conducted flag march in Mansa district on Punjab on Saturday morning, news agency ANI is reported.
11:58 am: Due to curfew-like restrictions in Sirsa district of Haryana, the normal life has come to a standstill, PTI reported. According to report, milk supply has been affected in several areas as the agitators set a milk plant on fire near the sect headquarters. Several hotels in the region have run out of daily supplies. Read more
11:50 am: Haryana police has detained 15 Dera Sacha sauda followers since Saturday night, news agency PTI reported. Speaking to PTI, Sirsa SP Ashwin Shenvi said, “Police have detained 15 anti-social elements since last night.” Another senior police official said the Dera followers have been asked to vacate the compound of sect headquarters.
11:35 am: High level meeting begins at Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence. Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Intelligence Bureau chief also present at the meeting.
11:10 am: Reports are coming in that Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is being summoned to Delhi. We are unable to verify the report at the moment.
11:00 am: Delhi Police on Saturday said the situation is under control in the National capital. In a tweet, Delhi police added that there has been no reports of violence in the city since Saturday. “Situation in Delhi is under control. There is no gathering and no incident of violence reported since yesterday. Adequate force deployed,” Delhi Police wrote on Twitter. Madhur Verma, DCP Delhi, further added in a tweet that the decision on prohibitory orders will be taken at later time after seeing the situation unfolding. “As the situation unfolds and based on the intelligence inputs, decision to review prohibitory orders under 144 CrPC shall be taken later,” he wrote on Twitter.
Situation in Delhi is under control. There is no gathering and no incident of violence reported since yesterday. Adequate force deployed.
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) August 26, 2017
10:55 am: Congress on Saturday accused Haryana government for the violence in parts of Haryana and Punjab after the conviction of Ram Rahim in a rape case. In a tweet, the party asked for Haryana CM Manohar Khattar’s resignation. “Death & violence caused by complete failure of state machinery. Lack of preparedness inexcusable. PM must take action & #KhattarMustResign,” the party said in a Twitter post.
Death & violence caused by complete failure of state machinery. Lack of preparedness inexcusable. PM must take action & #KhattarMustResign
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 26, 2017
10:45 am: Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Smriti Irani on Friday issued an advisory asking news channels to refrain from “causing panic, distress and undue fear”. In a tweet, she wrote, “Drawing attention of News Channels to Clause B of Fundamental Std. of NBSA refraining channels from causing panic, distress & undue fear.” In another tweet, Irani added, “Kindly note this advisory has been given by the offices of the National Broadcasters Association.” Meanwhile, several media personnel and teams were attacked in the mob violence. Given below is a list of media personnel who were targeted. Irani herself condemned the attack on media in another tweet, “Attack on media, damage to property condemnable. Appeal to all to maintain peace,” she said.
10:30 am: District administration and police officials on Saturday sealed off two ashrams of Dera Sacha Sauda in Kurukshetra distrct of Haryana, news agency ANI reported.
10:20 am: Reports are coming in that curfew is being relaxed in some parts of Punjab and Haryana early morning on Saturday to allow the local residents to buy daily groceries and essentials, IANS reported. Curfew was relaxed in Patiala, Bathinda and Ferozpur in Punjab for four hours, while it was relaxed in Kaithal town in Haryana.
10:15 am: Here is a list of Western Railways trains that have been cancelled or partially cancelled due to the deteriorating law and order situation in parts of Haryana and Punjab.
10:05 am: As we told before Home Minister Rajnath Singh will hold a high level meeting to review the security situation in Haryana. According to latest updates from IANS, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Rajiv Jain will attend the meeting along with several other Home Minister Officials. The meeting will take place at Rajnath Singh’s residence in New Delhi at 11 am.
10:00 am: Amid the rising tensions in the state, army units patrolled several places across Punjab and Haryana throughout Friday night. The soldiers also carried out flag marches early Saturday morning in at least 10 locations in southwest Punjab’s Malwa belt and Panchkula and Sirsa towns in Haryana. Meanwhile, section 144 is still imposed in Rohtak district of Haryana, news agency ANI reported. Security forces are deployed in the region. See visuals below:
#LatestVisuals from Haryana’s Rohtak: Section 144 still imposed, security deployed. #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/7nYJxhBD9Z
— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2017
9:50 am: Director General of Prisons (Haryana), K P Singh, told news agency ANI that no special privileges were given to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. “Some channels and papers are reporting on special treatment given to Ram Rahim. I clarify he is in Sunaria Jail, not in a guesthouse.” He further added that he is not lodged in an AC cell. “Ram Rahim Singh is being treated as normal prisoner. He is not provided with an attendant and there is no AC in the cell he is lodged in,” he said.
9:45 am: BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj on Friday, in a statement to ANI, said only one person has alleged sexual exploitation charges against the Dera Sacha chief. “One person alleging sexual exploitation but crores stand with him today, why those crores of people are not being heard?” Maharaj said. He further added that there is a conspiracy to spoil the image of India’s culture. “If even bigger incidents take place, court will also be responsible, not just Dera people… Yojnabaddh tareeke se Bhartiya sanskriti ko badnaam karne ka shadyantra hai,” he said. Read More
9:40 am: According to prison officals cited by news agency IANS, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had a sleepless night inside the prison cell. The officials further told the agency that Dera Sacha chief will be given a medical examination on Saturday.
9:30 am: After the Dera mob started entering the houses of the local residences in the most sensitive areas of Panchkula, the situation turned frightening for locals, who were already panic-stricken for the past three days. The control room landline phone kept on ringing as locals kept dialing, just wanting the police to reach their homes. “Thank God, the phones were not switched off by the administration,” said Mrityunjay, a resident of Sector 4, who got his home saved from the Dera mob by calling the police control room. Read More
9:22 am: The conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case has proven to be an embarrassment for BJP leaders in Haryana. At least 19 of the current 47 BJP MLAs in the state, including Haryana BJP chief Subhash Baral had visited the Dera chief to pay their obeisance after winning the polls in 2015. The list of ministers include Krishan Lal Panwar, Krishan Bedi, Nayaab Sainuin and Manish Grover, who are all now ministers in the state government while Kanwar Pal Gujjar is Assembly Speaker. Read More
9:15 am: Amid the curfew in several parts of Chandigarh and Punjab, reports are coming in that schools will also remain closed in several places for a couple of days.
9:10 am: At least bodies of 17 people who lost their lives in the clashes were left unclaimed at Panchkula Civil Hospital on Friday. The officials at the hospital told reporters that the cell phone of the bodies kept ringing. Officials further said that two of the bodies are of women, while the youngest victim appears to be a boy between age 15 and 17. Read More
8:55 am: According to latest reports, Panchkula DCP Ashok Kumar was suspended for committing a “clerical error” in the order of imposition of Section 144 in Panchkula. As per the reports, Kumar had not mentioned the gathering of four or more persons as unlawful and had only mentioned that carrying of weapons was not allowed.
8:50 am: Western Railways on Friday cancelled 6 trains and partially cancelled 2 other trains in the wake of law and order situation in Punjab and Haryana, following the violence in the region, news agency ANI reported.
8:45 am: Home Minister Rajnath Singh called for an emergency meeting in Delhi on Saturday to review the security situation in states following the verdict in Baba Ram Rahim Singh case. Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana High Court said the damages for the loss of property in the violence will be recovered from the Dera Sacha Sauda.
8:40 am: As a safety precaution measure, the Cente instructed the Haryana government to ensure security for CBI special court judge Jagdeep Singh who pronounced the judgment on Friday. The Judge will pronounce the quantum of sentence in the case on Monday. Read More
8:30 am: According to a report by News 18, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, is placed has been kept at a guest house in Sunaria Jail of Rohtak district till the quantum of his sentence is decided on August 28. Meanwhile, some reports are suggesting that the rape convict will be lodged in a special cell, where he will be provided with mineral water an assistant who will stay with him.
8:25 am: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited hospital on Saturday to meet with those who were injured in the civil unrest that happened after the conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
CM @mlkhattar visited public & security personnel injured during the civil unrest in Panchkula today. pic.twitter.com/L8Sa8tLdu2
— CMO Haryana (@cmohry) August 25, 2017
8:20 am: According to a report, internet services have been shutdown in Panchkula, while security has been tightened in Rohtak district. See visuals from Panchkula below.
#LatestVisuals from Panchkula where violence was witnessed yesterday: Section 144 still imposed; security deployed. #RamRahimVerdict pic.twitter.com/eRAolxSlsJ
— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2017
8:10 am: One person succumbed to injuries in Sira early morning on Saturday, news agency ANI reported. According to ANI, the death toll in Sirsa district of Haryana has reached 3. The headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda is in Sirsa.
7:45 am: DIG Mulinja Narayanan, the CBI officer who cracker the rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, faced numerous threats from the followers of the godman and felt pressure from his superiors and politicians. Speaking to Indian Express, Narayanan said he is happy to see the case reaching its logical conclusion and added many people wanted him to drop the case. CLICK HERE to read more
7:30 am: For the last seven days, since the verdict date was announced, Dera followers kept gathering in large numbers on the streets of Panchkula. But still, not even a single minister from the ruling BJP state government, or the Opposition, tried to reach out to then. Punjab and Haryana High Court bench also accused the state government of “complete collusion”with Dera followers, during the hearing of a PIL filed by local advocate Ravinder Dhull on security arrangements. To read more on how Khattar govt ignored the warning signs, click here.
7:15 am: After the violence in parts of Northern India, at least 445 train services have been suspended. Speaking to reporters, Neeraj Sharma, spokesperson, Northern Railway said, “485 train services have been affected (due to the violence). Of these, 445 stood cancelled.
7:00 am: Welcome to our live blog. We will keep you updated with all the events of the day regarding the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case.
