Incidents of violence were reported from Delhi after Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim's conviction
in Haryana's Panchkula after Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim's conviction reached the national capital on Friday evening where two buses and two train coaches were set on fire by a mob.
Delhi Police said they had been able to disperse the mobs and imposed prohibitory orders across 11 districts including New Delhi district in the capital, banning congregation of more than four people at one place.
Overall, an official at the Delhi Fire Services said they had received complaints of arson from nine locations including Anand Vihar, Khayala, Jahangirpuri and Badarpur. Two empty coaches of the Rewa Express at Anand Vihar police station were also burnt.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal immediately appealed for peace. Mr Baijal added he had directed Commissioner of Police to take "effective measures" to ensure protection of life and property.
The police said these were sporadic incidents of the violence but the situation was controlled well before it could deteriorate. "I can tell you that there is no gathering in any part of the capital," the police spokesperson announced a few minutes later.
"Security had been strengthened in some pockets that are known to house a substantial number of Dera followers," a police officer told NDTV, minutes before Prime Minister Narendra Modi also summoned top security officials for a briefing on the violence.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh too said he would meet PM Modi to discuss the developments.
The violence started in Panchkula, a city 11 km away from Chandigarh, after the court delivered the guilty verdict. The mob charged at police barricades, attacked media vans and set several vehicles, including a fire engine, on fire. Within two hours, the army was called in.
A petrol pump and part of a train station have reportedly been set on fire in Malaout in Punjab. Ferozepur, Bathinda, and Mansa were placed under curfew. Reports of violence came in from the national highway in Shimla too and Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan as well.