Hoping for the situation to return to normalcy a day after widespread violence following the verdict against Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh claimed 31 lives and left over a hundred injured across Haryana, the locals welcomed the judgement and blamed the State government for going soft on the Dera followers and not making adequate security arrangements.
"It is a welcome decision. Except his followers, the Dera does not have much support among the locals. We suspect more skeletons will stumble out of the cupboard if the Dera premises are searched," said Praveen, 40, a shopkeeper.
Convicted in rape case, Gurmeet Singh also faces charges of murder in two separate cases and the verdict in the cases is expected soon.
Ram Singh, 70, said that the Dera followers had unleashed a reign of terror in the area and the locals were too scared to speak against them. "The Dera chief's word was the law of the land in the adjoining areas. The locals were harassed and made to suffer in silence," said Mr. Singh.
Another local, Sandeep, a young man added that locals were not even allowed to park their vehicles outside Dera and it was difficult to travel on the road outside Dera during conglomeration. He said that minor scuffles between the Dera followers and the locals were a routine. "The locals owning land around the Dera were also forced to sell their holdings to them for throw away prices," alleged Ramesh Beniwal, an aged man.
The locals added that outnumbered by his followers, the locals preferred to not to protest. "See what have they done in Panchkula. When even administration appeared helpless before them, how could individuals speak out," argued Suresh Malik.
The locals also blamed the government of going soft on the Dera followers initially and allowing them to gather at Panchkula. "How come lakhs of Premis managed to reach Panchkula despite Section 144 in place?," asked Amit.
"It seems the BJP government returned the favour for the Dera supporting them in elections. This is all vote bank politics. Senior Haryana Minister Ram Bilas Sharma had come to Dera a few days ago and donated ₹51 lakh to Dera showing his party's support," said Deepak, who owns a sweets shop in the area.
