Violence broke out in Panchkula after the Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insaan was found guilty of raping two ‘sadhvis’ (female followers) by a special CBI court. According to The Indian Express, curfew was also clamped in Panchkula as supporters became restive in the wake of the court decision. Despite the tight security arrangements, the followers of Ram Rahim who gathered at Panchkula in lakhs assaulted police and mediamen and even set media OB vans on fire. In response, the police too lobbed tear gas shells and fired gunshots in the air to quell protesters. A cameraman was also injured in the incident, reported ANI. The curfew was extended to Punjab’s Bathinda, Mansa, Ferozepur, Muktsar, Malout and Budhlada. Followers of Ram Rahim Singh are trying to get as close as possible to the courtroom where he has been kept in custody. CNN-News 18 reported that Union Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar and Punjab CM Amarinder Singh on the matter. Many shocking videos of the violence emerged on Friday afternoon as the tension increased. Here are some of them:

Security was beefed up in Panchkula and other parts of Haryana and Punjab after the violence erupted in many places.

Several people were killed and injured in the clashes. Hospitals have reportedly been overrun by the injured. Even though the exact number hasn’t been revealed, it will be on the higher side.

Many vehicles including the OB vans of the media houses were torched and their cars were attacked leading to injuries.

Heavy force was deployed in Sirsa as the crowd turned violent. Rapid Action Force also reached the spot, reported ANI.

In an immediate response, Delhi and Gurgaon have been put on high alert now. Uttar Pradesh has reportedly sealed the border with Haryana.