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| India guru rape case: 12 die in unrest as Ram Rahim Singh convicted | India guru rape case: 12 die in unrest as Ram Rahim Singh convicted |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least 12 people have been killed in violent protests over the rape conviction of a popular religious leader in north India. | 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. | 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. |
| About 2,500 of Singh's followers have been arrested, police said. | About 2,500 of Singh's followers have been arrested, police said. |
| Earlier, followers smashed cars and set media vans alight. | Earlier, followers 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. | 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 fired tear-gas canisters and water cannon into the crowd to try to restore control, says the BBC's Ravinder Singh Robin in Panchkula. | Thousands of army, police and paramilitary forces have been deployed. They fired tear-gas canisters and water cannon into the crowd to try to restore control, says the BBC's Ravinder Singh Robin in Panchkula. |
| However, the region's police chief BS Sandhu said the violence was now under control. | However, the region's police chief BS Sandhu said the violence was now under control. |
| Curfews have been imposed in several areas of Chandigarh city and across the state of Punjab. | Curfews have been imposed in several areas of Chandigarh city and across the state of Punjab. |
| Violence also spread to the capital, Delhi, where two train coaches were set on fire, according to reports. | Violence also spread to the capital, Delhi, where two train coaches were 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: | |
| 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. |