AMN / New Delhi
President Ram Nath Kovind has appealed to all citizens to maintain peace. The President has condemned the violence and damage to public property by supporters of Dera Sachcha Sauda.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the law and order situation in Haryana with the National Advisor Ajit Doval and Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi.
Describing Friday’s violence following Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim’s conviction as deeply distressing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the people to maintain peace. ‘Instances of violence are deeply distressing. I strongly condemn the violence & urge everyone to maintain peace,’’ the Prime Minister tweeted. He said the law and order situation was being closely monitored and he had reviewed the situation with the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi.
Mr Modi said he had asked officials to work round the clock to restore normalcy and provide all possible assistance. Around 30 people were killed and over 200 sustained injuries as violence flared up in Punjab and Haryana after a special CBI court in Panchkula this afternoon convicted Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case. Violent followers of the controversial ‘Godman’ set afire vehicle and government property.
The Army has been called in to bring the situation under control.