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| India guru rape case: 12 die in unrest as Ram Rahim Singh convicted | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least 12 people have been killed in violent protests over the rape conviction of a popular religious leader in north India. | |
| The victims are believed to be Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's followers. Angry supporters are rampaging through Panchkula town, near Chandigarh. | |
| Reports of widespread vandalism are coming in. At least two railway stations have been set on fire. | Reports of widespread vandalism are coming in. At least two railway stations have been set on fire. |
| Followers also smashed cars and set media vans alight. | Followers also smashed cars and set media vans alight. |
| The latest death toll was reported by Indian media and Associated Press, quoting the chief medical officer of Panchkula's hospital. | |
| Singh, who claims to have millions of disciples, was found guilty of raping two women at the headquarters of his sect, known as Dera Sacha Sauda, in 2002. | Singh, who claims to have millions of disciples, was found guilty of raping two women at the headquarters of his sect, known as Dera Sacha Sauda, in 2002. |
| More than 200,000 of his followers had flocked to the Chandigarh area ahead of Friday's verdict. | More than 200,000 of his followers had flocked to the Chandigarh area ahead of Friday's verdict. |
| Thousands of army, police and paramilitary forces have been deployed. They are firing tear-gas canisters and water cannon into the crowd to try to restore control, says the BBC's Ravinder Singh Robin in Panchkula. | |
| At least a dozen people have been injured in the town. | At least a dozen people have been injured in the town. |
| Curfews have been imposed in several areas of the city and across the state of Punjab. | Curfews have been imposed in several areas of the city and across the state of Punjab. |
| Meanwhile, violence has also spread to the capital, Delhi, where two train coaches have been set on fire, according to reports. | Meanwhile, violence has also spread to the capital, Delhi, where two train coaches have been set on fire, according to reports. |
| Singh, 50, was taken into protective custody by the army following the conviction. | Singh, 50, was taken into protective custody by the army following the conviction. |
| The court is expected to sentence him on Monday. | The court is expected to sentence him on Monday. |
| Who is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh? | Who is Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh? |
| Read more: The flamboyant "godman" convicted of rape | Read more: The flamboyant "godman" convicted of rape |
| Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh criticised his counterpart in the state of Haryana for allowing so many of Singh's followers to travel to Chandigarh. | Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh criticised his counterpart in the state of Haryana for allowing so many of Singh's followers to travel to Chandigarh. |
| Chandigarh is the capital of both states. | Chandigarh is the capital of both states. |
| The border between the two states has been sealed. | The border between the two states has been sealed. |
| Singh had arrived at court in Panchkula, near Chandigarh, from his ashram in Haryana in a convoy of more than 100 vehicles. | Singh had arrived at court in Panchkula, near Chandigarh, from his ashram in Haryana in a convoy of more than 100 vehicles. |
| Schools and offices in the area were closed, trains were stopped, roads were blocked and three stadiums were set aside as makeshift prisons in case of trouble, officials said. | Schools and offices in the area were closed, trains were stopped, roads were blocked and three stadiums were set aside as makeshift prisons in case of trouble, officials said. |