Police lathi charge Dera followers

Baton-swinging policemen disperse Dera Sacha Sauda followers protesting attack on the cavalcade of sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Baton-swinging policemen dispersed Dera Sacha Sauda followers protesting on Saturday attack on the cavalcade of sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and causing a major snarl on the country's premier highway in Karnal, Haryana.

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Hundreds of followers of the Dera squatted on National Highway No 1 after the attack, leading to long queues of trucks, buses and other vehicles.

A police team sent to the area to break the demonstration used batons when the protestors refused to budge, officials said.

Unidentified attackers earlier hurled a tyre packed with explosives at the cavalcade the Dera chief and one of the cars burst into flames, leaving 11 people including six security men injured.

Singh, who is provided Z-plus security cover, escaped unhurt. The incident occurred near Nilokheri when the Dera chief was returning to Delhi after appearing in a court in Ambala.