Dera distances itself from violence, blames it on certain ‘miscreants'

Over 30 persons died and around 250 were injured in the violence that broke out after a special CBI court in Panchkula convicted Ram Rahim.

Dera Sacha Sauda on Saturday attempted to distance itself from violence across Haryana after its chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted in a rape case. Dera, in fact, condemned the violence and held certain 'miscreants' responsible for it.

News agency ANI quoted Dera Sacha Sauda chairperson Vipssana Insan as saying, "Attack on media is condemnable, miscreants who entered peaceful gathering caused violence."

Over 30 persons died and around 250 were injured in the violence that broke out after a special CBI court in Panchkula convicted Ram Rahim in a 15-year-old rape case.

On Friday, after the protestors damaged public property, the court ordered the attachment of two Dera properties and directed the state to recover the loss.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court also pulled up the state government following the violence that erupted in Panchkula on Friday.

In an apparent move to shield the followers of spiritual guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Khattar said some anti-social elements inflitrated with Dera followers resulting in the widespread violence.

The CM said criminals, who had infiltrated the crowd of Dera Sacha Sauda followers, violated the law and vowed to punish them.

OneIndia News