Dera violence could have been much worse, says Khattar

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who was under Opposition fire over his management of the Dera issue, on Sunday said the violence by the sect's supporters could have turned much worse had the government not been alert.

Khattar told reporters that the state government had taken steps after due consideration in compliance with the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court.

"Had the government had not been alert, the situation could have been much worse," he said in Karnal.

The Haryana government had come under attack for allowing a huge build up of Dera Sacha Sauda followers in Panchkula.

Violence broke out there after Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's conviction+ in rape cases, leaving 35 people dead. Six others died in incidents of violence in Sirsa.

Ram Rahim was later sentenced to 20 years in prison.

On August 30, Khattar, had ruled out his resignation after meeting BJP chief Amit Shah in Delhi, saying his government had acted with "restraint" in handling the situation.

PTI