News

You let Panchkula burn for political benefits : HC slams Haryana Govt

by IBNS 26 Aug 2017, 11:15 am

Chandigarh, Aug 26 (IBNS) : The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Saturday slammed the Haryanas Manohar Lal Khattar government blaming it for deliberately let Panchkula "burn for political benefits," while the Army entered the premises of Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters appealing the followers to leave the place, reports said.

While asking the Haryana Government to present the full list of movable and immovable properties owned by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the High Court said,  “you let Panchkula burn for political benefits.

The High Court wanted the list to be submitted by August 29 for attachment towards the compensation of the widespread damage of Government property by Dera followers.

At least 31 people were killed and more than 250 wounded in an orgy of violence that erupted after the conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim, a self-declared and controversial spiritual leader,  for the rape of two women followers in the sect's Sirsa headquarters in 2002.

The quantum of punishment for Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been kept reserved for August 29.

Police resorted to tear gas to quell violent mobs in Panchkula. Media vehicles were  vandalised by Dera supporters, and some OB vans were set ablaze.

 Curfew has been imposed in Patiala, Panchkula, Sirsa, Bhatinda, Ferozpur, Sirsa, Mansa, Muzaffarnagar and Baghpat.

A day later, security forces entered the premises of the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa, appealing to the followers to vacate the area.

The forces include the Army, Rapid Action Force and the Police. 

An estimated one lakh people, including women and children, are said to be present in the sect headquarters.