Panchkula unrest: 550 people rounded up, arms recovered

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], August 26 (ANI): Haryana's Director General of Police (DGP) B S Sandhu on late Friday night said that that 550 people have been rounded up and some arms and ammunition have been recovered due to the violence in Panchkula in the wake of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh being convicted in a rape case.

Speaking at press conference here, Sandhu said, "Curfew, which was clamped in Panchkula in the evening, has been lifted but certain restrictions are still in place. Three rifles, three pistols along with live cartridges and narcotics have been recovered and 65 dera vehicles have been impounded".

Confirming about the deaths in the state, Sandhu said 28 people died in the violence in Panchkula, six of them due to bullet injuries.

"60 policemen, including two SSPs, were also injured in the violence. While, 28 people died in the violence in Panchkula, six of them due to bullet injuries. Panchkula was now peaceful and all Dera supporters have been moved out even as some restrictions were still in place. Flag marches will be carried out in Panchkula by security forces," DGP said.

The DGP said that except for Sirsa, situation in rest of Haryana is under control.

"The Dera chief was airlifted to Rohtak, where he has been lodged in the district jail in Sunaria, nearly 10 km on the outskirts the town. The decision to airlift him was taken as part of strategy as Dera followers could have created problem for the security personnel had he been taken by road. We used tear gas, lathi-charge, pellet bullets and fired on them (protesters) where arson was reported. As a strategy, we didn't take Ram Rahim Singh to Ambala but Rohtak's Sunaria jail where he is present right now. It would have been very difficult to take him to Ambala jail as Dera followers were there on the way," he added.

Panchkula is completely peaceful at the moment, flag marches conducted.

Following are other updates related to the case:

- Curfew has been imposed in Sangrur, security stepped up after violent protests by Dera followers in Punjab.

- Section 144 imposed in Uttarakhand's Nainital

- Baghpat District Magistrate directs all schools in the region to remain closed today in Uttar Pradesh

- Delhi Transport Corporation has suspended bus services to NCR due to incidents of arson.

- Panchkula is completely peaceful at the moment, flag marches conducted: DGP Haryana, BS Sandhu

- Dera Sacha Sauda followers tried creating mischief, case has been registered. We have CCTV footage, probe underway: Madhur Verma, Delhi Police

- Haryana Government had made complete arrangements; the mob was really huge: Manohar Lal Khattar, Haryana CM

- Urged officials to work round the clock to restore normalcy and provide all possible assistance that is required, tweets PM

- PM Modi assures help to restore normalcy in violence-hit areas.

- Taking preventive measures, Chandigarh Police detains 81 people; confirms Chandigarh DGP Tejinder Singh Luthra

- Six private commandos of Ram Rahim Singh arrested by Chandigarh Police, weapons and petrol cans seized from them.

- Instances of violence are deeply distressing. Strongly condemn violence urge everyone to maintain peace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.

- 29 people have lost their lives, and 200 are injured. Directed doctors for best possible treatment: Haryana CM ML Khattar

- Curfew has been imposed in Patiala.

- Passengers have been stranded at Bathinda railway station due to curfew imposed in Punjab.

- Heavy security in place; Rapid Action force also deployed in Bathinda.

- Curfew has been imposed in Punjab's Sangrur and Moga districts.

- High level meeting is called at Home Minister Rajnath Singh's residence today. Home Secy and others senior officials will also be present.

- Almost 250 trains cancelled. All trains going towards Rohtak cancelled for tomorrow: Neeraj Sharma, CPRO, Northern Railway

- Section 144 imposed in Noida and Ghaziabad

- Dera supporters set power sub-station office on fire in Sriganganagar, vehicle at sub-station premises also torched in Rajasthan.

- Officials say 28 dead, 250 injured in Panchkula violence. (ANI)