Thaindian News

Chandigarh, Feb 27 (IANS) Following widespread violence by supportes of the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda sect in different parts of Punjab and Haryana Saturday, the situation was gradually inching towards normalcy as no fresh case of rioting or arson was reported in both the states since 9.30 p.m.
However, the situation remained tense and a heavy police force was deployed all over the region.

Violence had erupted in various parts of Punjab and Haryana Saturday evening as scores of Dera supporters protested against the registration of another murder case against their spiritual leader, Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh.

“We have taken strong notice of these violent incidents in the state. Now the situation is under control and police will make sure that nobody takes the law into their hands,” Punjab Police chief P.S. Gill said.

“Very strict action would be taken under the law against those who tried to violate prohibitory orders and indulge in violence, arson and rioting in any part of the state,” he added.

A senior official of the Haryana Police said: “We have increased the police force at all sensitive locations of the state. During the last two hours (since 9.30 p.m.) no fresh case of violence has reported. Taking no chances, police have made all arrangements to deal with any emergency situation.”

No casualties have been reported so far in the violence.

Dera followers, known as ‘Premis’, went on rampage and burnt nearly two dozen buses across Punjab and Haryana to protest the registration of a fresh murder case against Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh.

Four coaches of the Sutlej Express were torched by the protestors in Punjab’s Moga district.

At least eight buses were torched in Moga. The protestors also burnt buses and destroyed public property at various places in Haryana like Sirsa, Hisar, Kaithal and Fatehabad towns, police said.

In Punjab, reports of violence came from Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala and Ferozepur towns.

The sect chief was booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) earlier this week for the murder of former Dera manager Faqir Chand in 1991. Chand’s body was never found and CBI had conducted an inquiry into this on court orders.

Besides the sect chief, CBI had booked four other members of the Dera for murder, destroying evidence and hatching a criminal conspiracy.

The sect chief is already facing three cases, two of murder conspiracy and one of rape of a female follower. The cases are being conducted by a CBI special court in Haryana’s Ambala town.

The Dera Sacha Sauda sect, which has a big following all over the country, is headquartered at Sirsa town in Haryana, around 275 kilometres from here.

Washing its hands off any role by its followers in the violence Saturday, Dera officials said that they had no idea who was behind the violence.

“We strongly condemn this violence and appeal to everyone to maintain peace and harmony in the region. No Dera follower is behind this arson and rioting. Once the police will conduct its investigation, things will become clear before everyone who is responsible behind this chaos,” sect spokesman Aditya Insaan told IANS.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is also the state’s home minister, said no one would be allowed to spread lawlessness in the state.

“Anyone trying to indulge in acts of lawlessness or violence or trying to play up communal passions will have to face the consequences under the strictest provisions of the law,” Badal said.

The Haryana government Saturday evening issued stern instructions to all district police chiefs to deal with the violent protestors with a firm hand.