Dera violence was planned, says police probe

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 28

“Spread fire all around in case the verdict against us.” This was the alleged direction by members of the top management of the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda to its followers asking them to resort to arson in case of an adverse verdict in a rape case against Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the beleaguered head of the dera.

This has been concluded in a comprehensive Punjab Police investigation report on how the violence took place in Haryana and Punjab in the aftermath of the Special CBI court holding the dera head guilty of rape.

The report is based on the questioning of the arrested dera followers besides the phone intercepts between the office-bearers of different management wings of the dera and some prominent followers.

“Violence witnessed in Haryana and Punjab in the wake of the Special CBI court verdict, leading to death of 28 and damage worth crores of rupees to property, was a planned act and not an impulsive or on-the-spot reaction of a few miscreants,” says the report.

Investigating police officers said the phone intercepts had clearly nailed some of the top management members. “We have taken action against most of them and fresh cases may also be registered,” said an officer.

A Punjab Government spokesperson said close to 200 persons had been arrested in connection with the dera violence till this evening.

“The police has registered 66 cases of arson and violence and arrested 133 persons. Another 66 persons have been taken into preventive custody,” said the government spokesperson.

The police have recovered 52 petrol bombs from different deras, besides other inflammable material. However, only one.12 bore gun and one revolver have been recovered so far with about 30 live cartridges.