Khattar admits lapses in handling Dera situation

CHANDIGARH: Under fire over the handling of the situation arising out of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's conviction, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday admitted that there were lapses but asserted appropriate action was being taken.

Facing a volley of questions from reporters on the violence that has left at least 30 people dead and scores injured, he said the "lapses have been identified and we are taking appropriate steps".

"This should not have happened," he said.

"Some people have lost lives and vehicles have been set on fire while government property too has been damaged. Some OB vans of the media have also been damaged by the mob," Khattar said.

"All those who have taken law into their hands will be punished. We have identified some culprits including those who fired (from the mob at security forces), some of whom have been nabbed and action will be taken against them," he said.

The government will assess the damage, he added.

Asked how thousands of Dera followers managed to reach Panchkula and was his government prepared for this, Khattar said, "We were prepared to deal with the situation. Since it was a very big mob..."

Khattar ducked a question on how thousands of Dera followers managed to reach Panchkula despite Section 144 being imposed much earlier.

When repeatedly asked how the followers managed to reach in such big numbers and whether it was a failure of his government, he replied, "When such issue comes where you are dealing with followers in such numbers... We tried to stop them..."

Khattar, facing unending questions from the reporters, had to plead with them to at least listen to what he had to say.

"I have to answer, listen to me," he said.

When told that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had come down heavily on the state government over the mishandling of the situation in Panchkula, Khattar said, "I have to give answer and I will give... If you do not listen to me..."

To another question, the Haryana Chief Minister said the state has rushed paramilitary forces to all those places in addition to Panchkula and Sirsa where it feels the situation can take an ugly turn.

He said the damage caused to some media personnel's equipment during the violence here will be taken care of the government.

He also said the state government will provide full compensation within a week to those persons whose property was damaged.

A website would be created where claimants can enter details regarding their damaged property, including vehicles and OB vans, he said, adding the portal would be launched within a day.

Khattar also urged the people to get their FIRS lodged online on Harsamay portal of Haryana Police.

"The amount of compensation will later be recovered from the property of Dera Sacha Sauda," he added.

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh expressed shock that "the situation in Panchkula was allowed to escalate by the Haryana government".