Chandigarh, Aug. 26 (PTI): The Haryana government on Saturday ordered a search of all centres belonging to the Dera Sacha Sauda, a day after the conviction of the sect’s chief in a rape case triggered widespread violence and arson by his followers. “We have ordered a search of all 'naam charcha ghars' (congregation centres) of the Dera Sacha Sauda wherever located in Haryana,” Additional Chief Secretary for home, Ram Niwas, told PTI. On Friday, after a court in Panchkula convicted Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2002 rape case, his followers went on the rampage, setting fire to vehicles and buildings and overpowering the large police forces. At least 30 people died in the violence in Panchkula and adjoining Chandigarh. Niwas said the searches would include the Dera headquarters in Sirsa and the congregation centre in Panchkula.

Source: The Telegraph August 26, 2017 09:11 UTC