Dera violence: Punjab Police arrests one of main accused

Sangrur (Punjab): The Punjab Police on Monday claimed to have arrested one of the main accused who allegedly triggered violence and arson in the state following the conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Duni Chand, who had gone underground after the incidents of violence, was nabbed near village Gujjran in Sangrur by a police team, Sangrur SSP Mandeep Singh Sidhu said here. Also, a car, Rs 1.70 lakh in cash, red chilly powder and literature related to Dera Sacha Sauda were also recovered from his possession, he added.

Police said that days ahead of the CBI court's verdict in rape cases against Ram Rahim Singh, an eight member "youth brigade" was formed to trigger violence in Punjab if the judgement goes against the Dera chief. During investigation, police came to know about the alleged conspiracy to spread arson and riots in Punjab following Dera chief's conviction.

About 28 incidents of arson, damage to state, central government offices or properties in seven districts of the Malwa region were reported.

The SSP said that Duni Chand, during interrogation laid bare the conspiracy, told police that one Rakesh Kumar, who was closely connected with the Dera, allegedly formed an eight member "youth brigade" called the "A -team" to set in violence in Punjab after the verdict of special CBI court in Panchkula went against Ram Rahim Singh.