Kerala CM expresses concern at violence after Dera chief verdict

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 25 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday expressed his concern to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the instances of violence across north India in the wake of Dera Sacha Sauda chiefs conviction.

Describing the situation as "worrying", Vijayan advised Modi to ensure that the law took its own course in the case.

"It is worrying that widespread instances of violence, rioting and arson are being reported in several north Indian states following the verdict convicting Gurmeet Ram Rahim by a CBI special court in Panchkula," Vijayan said in a letter to the Prime Minister.

"I have personally been receiving calls from Malayalis from the affected areas, who are in fear for their life and property. May I request you to take immediate and necessary action to ensure that the life and property of all our citizens are protected without fail," he said in the letter.

He said that strict action against those behind "these unprecedented acts of violence" should be ensured.

Vijayan said that "measures that evoke confidence in our public that our Constitution will be upheld and that the law will be allowed to take its due course will undoubtedly be much appreciated".

At least 30 people were killed and hundreds injured as security forces fired at rampaging mobs in Panchkula in Haryana after a CBI court held Gurmeet Ram Rahim guilty of rape and sexual exploitation.

The Dera supporters set hundreds of vehicles on fire and also attacked the media persons reporting from the ground.

Curfew has been imposed in a number of towns in 10 Punjab districts and in three Haryana towns, including Panchkula and Sirsa, following the violence. Also, prohibitory orders were issued by police in Delhi-NCR.

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