Police use teargas, water cannons to disperse mobs in Sirsa

SIRSA, HARYANA: Thousands of supporters of Gurmeet Ram Rahim spilled out of the headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda today after a court convicted the self-styled godman of rape, police said.

Police used teargas shells and water cannons to disperse the angry followers, officials said.

Barricades were put up about three kilometres from the sprawling headquarters of the Dera. Security personnel were equipped with teargas shells and water cannons.

The mounted police was also pressed into service.

After the verdict was announced, thousands of people came out of the headquarters and reached the barricades, police said.

Plumes of dark smoke could be seen at a distance near the headquarters. It is suspected that the supporters may have torched some vehicles.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted of rape by a special CBI court. The verdict was pronounced amid unprecedented security cover, over 15 years after an anonymous sexual exploitation complaint was registered against him.