Situation in Punjab under control: Punjab CM

Chandigarh, Aug 26 (IANS) The situation in Punjab is under control and all the 98 Dera Sacha Sauda centres in the state have been searched by police, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters here a day after the mayhem by Dera supporters in Haryana, Singh said that no major incident or death due to the violence was reported from anywhere in the state.

"No loss of life or firing incident occurred in the state. Seven people belonging to Punjab died in Panchkula," the Chief Minister said.

He said 52 minor incidents were reported since Friday.

Violence by the godman's followers erupted in the region, including Punjab, on Friday soon after a CBI court in Haryana's Panchkula town, adjoining Chandigarh, held him guilty of rape and sexual exploitation of two women followers in 2002.

Twenty-eight people died in Panchkula due to the violence, and 250 others were injured.

Vehicles and property were also damaged and set on fire by the unruly Dera followers.

Complimenting the security forces for maintaining law and order, Singh blamed the Haryana government for allowing Dera followers to gather in thousands in Panchkula ahead of the verdict.

"The fault was to allow so many people. You should be prepared that there would be reaction (from the Dera followers) after the verdict," he added.

The Chief Minister said that curfew has been lifted in three towns -- Muktsar, Faridkot and Sangrur, while it would continue in seven towns -- Bathinda, Moga, Ferozepur, Malout, Abohar, Jaitu and Kotkapura.

To control the situation, the government on Friday imposed curfew in six districts.

They were Patiala, Sangrur, Ferozepur, Mansa, Faridkot, Bathinda and two sub-divisions Malout in Muktsar Sahib and Abohar in Fazilka district.

No incident of violence was reported from 13 remaining districts of Punjab, the government said.