Gurmeet Ram Rahim conviction: Death toll rises to 30 in Panchkula violence

New Delhi : Thirty people were killed as security forces fired at rampaging mobs in Panchkula in Haryana on Friday after a court held Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh guilty of rape and sexual exploitation, police and hospital sources said.

The sources said that security forces opened fire as Dera supporters went on the rampage, setting several vehicles and buildings on fire.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday spoke with the chief ministers of Haryana and Punjab - Manohar Lal Khattar and Amarinder Singh - and assured them of all help in the wake of large-scale violence.

Rajnath, who arrived here after his visit to Kyrgyzstan to attend a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting, held meetings with top officials to take stock of the situation in Punjab and Haryana.

"He (Rajnath) spoke with the CMs of both states and assured them of all possible help," an official told IANS.

He added that if needed additional security forces would be sent to both states.

(with IANS inputs)