Self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted of rape by a CBI court, triggering widespread violence and arson across North India, where 30 people were killed and over 250 injured. This, despite the police, administration as well as Haryana government claiming that they have made all necessary arrangements to ensure that situation remains in control after the verdict.
Tens of thousands of ‘premis’ could only enter Panchkula because Sec 144 was not being implemented. Why the delay till 25 August, when the decision to implement 144 had been made several days ago?
The location where Dera followers were awaiting the verdict (less than a kilometre from the court) had almost NO SECURITY presence at the time when the verdict was announced. Which raises worrisome questions:
Why were security forces not stationed at a place where thousands of people had gathered? Why were they allowed to move freely?
If the authorities' reason is that more forces were required outside the court premises, then why didn’t they have EVEN MORE COMPANIES of forces deployed? Why were thousands of protesters allowed to move freely without security manning them?
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
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