Haryana peaceful, curfew relaxed in Panchkula, Sirsa; death toll at 36

Army personnel conduct a flag march near Dera HQ on Saturday (PTI)

Chandigarh: Situation was peaceful in Haryana's Panchkula, and Sirsa on Sunday. Panchkula witnessed the maximum violence on Friday after Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted of rape by Special CBI court.

Curfew was relaxed in Panchkula, Sirsa, while it was withdrawn in Kaithal town of Haryana.

The death toll in the violence has risen to 36.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted of rape by a court in Punchkula on Friday, triggering widespread violence and arson in Haryana and adjoining areas.

In a big crackdown, the Manohar Lal Khattar government on Saturday sealed over 30 congregation centres of the Dera across the state even as it came under attack from the high court over Friday's violence.

Four rifles, including an AK-47, pistols and petrol bombs were among the weapons seized from the Dera supporters.

The Dera headquarters near Sirsa is still surrounded by the Army and paramilitary forces and appeals are being made to Dera followers to vacate the 800-acre sprawling complex.

The CBI court will pronounce the quantum of sentence on Monday.

The hearing for deciding the quantum of punishment to Dera Sacha Sauda chief will take place through video-conferencing on August 28.