LOC23:20
20:20 GMT
NEW DELHI, Aug 25 (KUNA) -- At least 30 people were killed and more than 250 others injured in the wake of widespread violence on Friday after an Indian court condemned a renowned spiritual leader in a 2002 rape case, local media reported.
Government sources said that the curfew was imposed in many affected areas in the states of Haryana and Punjab and other places including the capital New Delhi and the adjacent towns of Noida and Gaziabad.
Thousands of security personnel, including the army, were deployed to bring the tense situation under control after followers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh of the 'Dera Sacha Suvidha' faith went on a rampage and carried out destructive activities setting fire to a number of government buildings and vehicles in Panchkula.
The security forces, deployed in various affected places including Chandigarh - the capital of both Haryana and Punjab, tried to disperse the Dera supporters using teargas shells and firing, but in vain.
The forces also arrested more than 2,000 followers of Singh. The incidents came after a court, under India's Central Bureau of Investigation, said that the 50-year-old Dera chief was involved in a 2002 rape case which took place at his headquarters.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is currently being kept in a special jail in Rohtak, Haryana.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other officials have urged people to stop the violence and restore peace.
Necessary instructions were given to the security forces to restore normalcy in the affected areas and extend all possible support to the affected, government sources said. (end)
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