India: Violence erupts as court convicts ‘Godman’

**By APD Writer Rishika Chauhan **

NEW DELHI, August 27 (APD) -- At least 30 people are dead in the last two days as clashes erupted between police and the followers of a sect, following a court’s verdict convicting the sect’s chief of rape.

The sect called ‘Dera Sacha Sauda’ is lead by a controversial, self-proclaimed “godman” named Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The headquarters of the sect is in Sirsa, a town in the province of Haryana, about 250 kilometers from India’s capital.

Dera chief- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

However, the violence and clashes took place in the town of Panchkula, where Singh, was convicted in a highly guarded Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) court on Friday.

Two deaths were reported from Sirsa, while more than 200 are believed to be injured. 1,000 Dera followers have been arrested.

Within minutes after the judgment was announced, thousands of followers went on a rampage in the provinces of Haryana, Punjab and some parts of Delhi. They targeted vehicles and offices with sticks and stones.

Violence escalated as petrol pumps were set on fire, a five-star hotel was also vandalized. According to the authorities the situation is under control now.

Dera followers

The provinces of Haryana and Punjab came to a stand still as trains, flights and buses to most of the towns in the two provinces were cancelled.

Internet and electricity was also cut for a short while to control the situation.

The Court has ordered the government to recover the value of the destroyed property from the sect, which is believed to possess assets worth millions.

The CBI court will announce the sentence of punishment for Singh on August 28.

Following the violence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “The instances of violence today are deeply distressing. I strongly condemn the violence and urge everyone to maintain peace.”

Related:

India detains hundreds, cancels 300 plus trains after 'godman' protest

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)