Rahim's Sentencing: MHA reviews security

New Delhi: The Home Ministry on Monday reviewed the security situation in Haryana and Punjab ahead of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's sentencing and said the situation was still tense but under control.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a review meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other officials, sources said.

Earlier, the Ministry in a statement said 35 people have been killed in Haryana and Punjab following the verdict on Friday in a 2002 rape case.

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"As per report dated August 28, of DGP Control Room, Haryana, total casualties have been 35 with 17 in Panchkula, six in Sirsa and 12 in Chandigarh and total number of injured is 204," the Ministry said in a statement.

It said Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) remained imposed in all districts of Haryana.

"Columns of Army are doing flag march continuously," it added.

The Ministry also said that there was a proper vigil in Panchkula, which bore the maximum brunt of the violence after the August 25 verdict, and at Sirsa that headquartered the Dera, as well as other parts of Punjab and Haryana.

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A special CBI court's judge will begin hearing arguments around 1430 hours on the quantum of punishment for the Dera chief, inside the District Jail at Sunaria near Rohtak where Ram Rahim has been lodged since Friday.

His punishment could range from seven years to life imprisonment.

IANS