Maintain peace, Haryana CM Khattar appeals to Dera followers
The Haryana CM told media: "I appeal to all Dera people to maintain peace."
He urged the followers of the self-styled spiritual leader not to take the law into their hands.
Singh's followers had went on a rampage on Friday and attacked journalists, police and even damaged vehicles and public properties after the conviction of their leader in a rape case.
Khattar's silence after the riot in Haryana's Panchkula and Sirsa on Friday was earlier widely criticised.
Following the verdict, Panchkula and Sirsa witnessed riots by the Ram Rahim followers resulting in 36 deaths.
At least two cars were torched by Dera supporters. Several OB vans of media houses were destroyed.
The Haryana government led by Khattar was also rebuked by the court for failing to maintain the law and order in the state.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Saturday slammed the Haryana’s government blaming it for deliberately letting Panchkula "burn for political benefits," while the Army entered the premises of Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters appealing the followers to leave the place.
While asking the Haryana government to present the full list of movable and immovable properties owned by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the High Court said, “you let Panchkula burn for political benefits".
Ram Rahim will serve two jail terms of 10 years each as he has been convicted for raping two of his Sadhvis (female followers).
He will also have to pay 14 lakhs each to both the victims.
Ram Rahim was convicted by the CBI court on Friday in a rape case that dates back to 2002.
The prosecution demanded maximum punishment for the rape convict while the Dera chief's defence argued that Ram Rahim is a social worker and urged the judge to take a lenient view.
The CBI urged the judge to treat the case as 'rarest of rare' during its argument.
Reports said that the Dera chief broke down in court and pleaded for leniency while the judge was reading out the sentence.
According to Times Now, victims shouted slogans of 'jail him (Ram Rahim) for life' inside the court premises.
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