#RamRahimVerdict: ‘Pellet guns, chilli bombs only for protesting Kashmiris?’ Ask Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has questioned the response of the security forces in combating spiralling violence in parts of Haryana following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by a special CBI court in a rape case yesterday. “Chilli bombs? Pepper grenades? Pellet guns? Do the forces keep those only for protesting Kashmiris?” Omar wrote on twitter soon after Dera supporters resorted to violence in the wake of the court verdict. At least five people died and scores others were injured after Dera followers went on a rampage in Haryana. Omar also expressed surprise over the statement made by a senior security force official about the situation in the affected areas. “Seems all the visuals of violence are just fake news. These guys have everything under control. OB vans are self- inflicting damage!” the National Conference working president said. Security forces, including the army, asked an estimated one lakh followers of Dera Sacha Sauda to vacate the controversial sect’s headquarters in Haryana’s Sirsa on Saturday, a day after violence over the conviction of its chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a rape case singed the state and left 31 people dead. Lakhs of followers of the 50-year-old cult leader went on the rampage in Panchkula, where a CBI court convicted Singh in the 15-year-old case, and other places of Haryana — setting vehicles on fire, damaging residential and business properties and waging pitched battles with security forces. PTI/IANS inputs