Dera verdict: 30 dead, 661 trains affected, violence continues

New Delhi: Over 661 Haryana-Punjab-bound trains were affected following an uneasy calm prevailing in Punjab and Haryana, on Saturday, ahead of the verdict in Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's case.

The incidents of violence a day ago left 30 people dead following the Dera sect chief Gurmeet Singh's conviction in a rape case.

The Railways on Friday said 661 trains were affected and after the violence following it.

A Northern Railway official said, "At least 309 express trains heading to Haryana and Punjab were cancelled from August 23 to 28 in view of the law and order situation in the states."

As many as 294 Haryana-bound passenger trains were also cancelled.

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The railways also short terminated or diverted 58 trains.

Army units patrolled several places across the two states through the night that were affected in the Friday mayhem leaving nearly 250 others injured.

Flag marches were held by the soldiers on Saturday morning in 10 places in southwest Punjab's Malwa belt and Panchkula and Sirsa towns in Haryana.

Curfew continued on Saturday in a few districts in south-west Punjab, including Mansa, Bathinda, Patiala, Fazilka, Ferozepore, Faridkot, Malout, Sangrur and Barnala following the violence.

Curfew also continued in Panchkula, Sirsa and Kaithal towns in Haryana.

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Educational institutions have been ordered to remain shut at several places in both states till Monday.

Panchkula town, adjoining here, which bore the brunt of the violence on Friday resembled a war zone with scores of burnt vehicles and properties damaged or torched.