India: Several states on security lockdown August 28 /update 3

Event

Fears abound that deadly violence will erupt once again in India’s northern states after influential spiritual leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was sentenced to ten years in prison on Monday, August 28, for raping two of his female followers in 2002.

Authorities have placed the states of Haryana, Punjub, and Delhi under heavy security as of Monday. Riot police have notably been deployed in Punjab and Haryana states, where internet services have been shut down.

A three-tier security ring has been implemented around Rohtak’s Sunaria district jail (Haryana state), where Singh is currently being detained. Additionally, some 4000 troops, including paramilitary forces, continue to patrol the streets and a 24-hour curfew has been implemented in the town. Train and bus services to Rohtak have been temporarily canceled and cars entering the town are being searched.

Followers have been asked to leave the headquarters of the guru’s Dera Sacha Sauda sect, located in Sirsa town, where a curfew has also been implemented and some violence was reported on Monday afternoon. Some 20,000 people have reportedly left although it is unsure how many more remain inside.

Context

The Dera Sacha Sauda sect claims some 50 million followers. This security lockdown comes after the violent protests which erupted on Friday, August 25, after Singh was found guilty of raping two of his female followers. He has denied the charges, and his followers claim the allegations are the result of a political conspiracy. Some 38 people were killed and hundreds more injured as tens of thousands of protestors took to the streets, burning government buildings and vehicles, vandalizing public property, and assaulting journalists and policemen.

The Dera Sacha Sauda sect claims some 50 million followers.

Advice

Individuals in the above areas are advised to avoid all protests, keep abreast of the situation, and adhere to instructions issued by the local authorities.