Highlights 1 Massive violence followed conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim. 2 Indian Army has deployed 10 columns in Haryana and Punjab. The Indian Army - that has deployed ten columns in Haryana and Punjab to quell the violence that followed the conviction of self-styled god-man Ram Rahim- has been given a "free-hand" to "use force when necessary" to deal with the violence whenever deployed. Video clips of army columns being forced to withdraw during the 2016 Jat agitation circulated through the social media had raised eyebrows in South Block. Also Read:Violence over Ram Rahim verdict hits Delhi: These are the men who set DTC bus ablaze, inform cops if you see themRam Rahim verdict leads to violent clashes in Punjab, Haryana; 31 deadAlso Watch:Watch how Dera followers in Panchkula went on rampage after Ram Rahim verdict

Source: India Today August 25, 2017 15:00 UTC