Khattar defends handling situation

Chandigarh, Sept. 3: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, facing heat over his management of the Dera issue, on Sunday said the violence unleashed by Dera Sacha Sauda supporters could have gone from bad to worse had the government not been alert.

Mr Khattar told reporters that the state government had taken steps after due consideration in compliance with the directions of the Punjab and Haryana high court.

“Had the government had not been alert, the situation could have worsened,” he told reporters in Karnal.

It may be noted the government had come under an attack for allowing a huge build up of the Dera sect’s supporters in Panchkula. Violence had broken out after Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted in two rape cases, leaving 35 people dead. Six others died in incidents of violence in Sirsa.

On August 30, Mr Khattar had ruled out his resignation after meeting

BJP chief Amit Shah in

Had the govt had not been alert, the situation could have worsened — Manohar Lal

Khattar, Haryana chief minister

Delhi, saying his government had acted with “restraint” in handling the situation.

Mr Khatttar, who is a first-time MLA from Karnal, went to become the CM when BJP came to power on its own in Haryana in October 2014.

He said on Sunday that he would contest the next election from Karnal as the people of the constituency have given him a lot of respect. He added he would accept whatever the party decides in this regard.