Panchkula burns as Dera followers' go on rampage after Gurmeet Ram Rahim's conviction

[caption id=“attachment_3974323” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Enraged by the rape conviction of self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh on Friday, his followers went on the rampage, hurling stones and vandalising media vehicles. At least three outdoor broadcast vans of private television channels were damaged. One van was overturned by a mob. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3974445” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Nearly 200 people have been injured in the violence in Panchkula, Haryana. Buses, railway stations, fire engines and petrol pumps were set on fire by Dera Sacha Sauda supporters. Saurabh Sharma/ Firstpost[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3974473” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] The inside of a burnt vehicle in Panchkula. The Dera Sacha Sauda described the special CBI court’s verdict against its guru, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh as unjust, and said it would appeal against it. Saurabh Sharma/ Firstpost[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3974483” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Dera followers, who had gathered in strength over the past four days in Panchkula, went berserk on Friday, after which police lobbed tear gas shells, resorted to lathicharge and fired in the air to control the mob. Six army columns were also deployed in Panchkula to control the violence. AP[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3974527” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Union home minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting with top officials and reviewed the situation, assuring Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar of all help from the Centre. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3974559” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Dera supporters manhandle a mediaperson. Five people also attempted suicide as the clashes spread across Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3974567” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Smoke arises in the distance in Sirsa, Haryana, where the Dera Sacha Sauda’s headquarters are located. The situation continued to deteriorate throughout Saturday, with the police unable to control the mob. Forces had to reportedly to escape three times themselves, to run from Dera supporters. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3974593” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] A cameraperson walks towards vehicles burning following violence caused by Dera Sacha Sauda followers after Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s conviction in Panchkula. Nearly 32 people lost their lives in the clashes, as per latest reports. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3974937” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] IGP Amitabh Dhillon makes an announcement at Shah Satnam Chowk advising people to remain inside houses and cooperate with the police and administration in Sirsa. Manoj Dhaka/ Firstpost[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3974949” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] In view of the verdict, the police and paramilitary forces had prepared to deal with the law and order situation in Sirsa on Friday. The police also blocked the road using razor wires. Manoj Dhaka/ Firstpost[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3974953” align=“alignleft” width=“940”] Forces deployed in Sirsa. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been taken to Rohtak Jail till Monday. On Friday night, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar finally broke his silence and said the security mechanism failed because the mob was huge. Manoj Dhaka/ Firstpost[/caption]