Five people have died and atleast 50 injured in Haryana's Panchkula in violence that erupted in the city after self-styled spiritual guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was found guilty of raping two women followers, news agency Press Trust of India reported quoting a hospital. The violence has spread to other towns in the state and neighbouring Punjab. Six columns, or about 600 soldiers of the Army have been called in to regain control in Panchkula.
Just as feared, large clashes, arson and violence erupted in the town of Panchkula in Haryana immediately after spiritual guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted of raping two women followers. At least one car and a fire engine were set on fire. The media was attacked; an NDTV live broadcast van was set on fire and totally destroyed. An NDTV engineer was held down by a mob and hit on the head.