Panchkula: Locals dub violence by devotees of Ram Rahim Singh as 'terrorising'

Panchkula (Haryana) [India], Aug 26 (ANI): Pained with the massive upsurge in the city, post conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 1999 rape case, the locals of Panchkula on Saturday termed the act of the former's devotees as 'terrorising'.

"What could be more terrorising than this, our own people are carrying such activity and are destructing our own property," said a local told ANI.

Expressing anguish over the destruction of the property, the local further said that the situation is very pathetic and nothing can be more painful than to see the people destructing their own city.

"They (devotees) are attacking the security personnel, vandalizing property and now will ask the government to compensate," he said.

"What preaching they have is clearly visible," he added.

Another local, residing in the area, accused the state government for their negligence, which led to chaos in the city and added that the state government should have let the Indian army take over from the beginning to avoid such situation.

"They should have taken the precautions. They should have taken stern actions beforehand and shouldn't have let the disciplines of Dera enter and gather in the city," she said.

Meanwhile, high level meeting has begun at the Home Minister's residence in the national capital. Home Secretary, National Security Agency (NSA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) Chief are also present.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will also visit New Delhi today.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said he has been briefed by DGP, the situation is peaceful and curfew has been lifted in three districts. He added that the state is on alert for next 48 hrs.

Following are other updates related to the case:

-District administration and police sealed two ashrams of Dera Sacha Sauda in Haryana's Kurukshetra.

- Curfew has been imposed in Sangrur, Moga and Patiala district of Punjab. Security stepped up after violent protests by Dera followers in the state.

- Section 144 imposed in Uttarakhand's Nainital and Noida, Ghaziabad and Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh.

- Baghpat District Magistrate directs all schools in the region to remain closed today in Uttar Pradesh. Schools in Noida and Ghaziabad will also remain close today.

- Delhi Transport Corporation has suspended bus services to NCR due to incidents of arson.

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged officials to work round the clock to restore normalcy and provide all possible assistance that is required. He assured to restore normalcy in violence-hit areas.

- Instances of violence are deeply distressing. Strongly condemn violence urge everyone to maintain peace, Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

- Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the state government had made complete arrangements; but the mob was really huge.

- Madhur Verma of Delhi Police confirmed that Dera Sacha Sauda followers tried to create mischief, following which a case has been registered. The police have recovered the CCTV footage, probe is underway.

- Chandigarh DGP Tejinder Singh Luthra confirmed that taking preventive measures, Chandigarh Police detains 81 people.

- Six private commandos of Ram Rahim Singh arrested by Chandigarh Police, weapons and petrol cans seized from them.

- 29 people have lost their lives, and 200 are injured. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar directed doctors for best possible treatment.

- Passengers have been stranded at Bathinda railway station due to curfew imposed in Punjab. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI