Panchkula’s trial by fire: How the day unfolded last year

Thirty-six lives were lost as dera followers clashed with security forces in the city soon after the special CBI court gave its verdict.

On this day last year, Panchkula was rocked by unprecedented violence after conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in two rape cases. Thirty-six lives were lost as dera followers clashed with security forces in the city soon after the special CBI court gave its verdict. Even as the city has picked up the pieces in the year gone by, what happened in that one hour keeps haunting its collective memory. HT revisits the day and takes stock of the aftermath:

It just took five minutes for the calm crowds to turn into a rampaging mob after the dera chief’s conviction. (HT File)

Over 1.5 lakh Dera Sacha Sauda followers assemble in Panchkula ahead of the special CBI court’s verdict against the sect chief in two rape cases on August 25, 2017. Paramilitary personnel were deployed as a precautionary measure, while the local police are on high alert.

9:20am: Ram Rahim leaves for Panchkula from Sirsa by road with Z-category security

10:55am: City seems under siege with the followers crowding parks, roads and any other available space near the courts complex. Police start barricading the area near the Sector 2/5 dividing road, known as Hafed Chowk

11:30am: Security around the CBI court beefed up, with three layers comprising 150 personnel of the Haryana Police and paramilitary forces.

12:25pm: Haryana IG (security) KK Rao visits the city to supervise security arrangements; says no unauthorised person will be allowed to enter Panchkula

12:45pm: Army columns start moving towards Panchkula, as more followers gather in the city. Security personnel survey the city from helicopters to ensure law and order

1pm: The Punjab and Haryana high court says: “Forces should not hesitate to use weapons, if required,” while hearing a PIL on the situation in Panchkula

2:10pm: Ram Rahim reaches Panchkula

2:48pm: Celebrations erupt among the followers, leading to rumours that the verdict is out, in favour of the dera chief

2:50pm: Power supply to nearby regions disconnected

3pm: Dera’s spokesperson Aditya Insaan leaves a press briefing midway

3:05pm: The CBI court convicts the dera chief

3:15pm: Eerie silence prevails at Hafed Chowk, as thousands of dera followers sit their quietly. They are surrounded by police and paramilitary personnel from three sides since morning. It turns out to be the calm before the storm

3:20pm: The followers get up from their places, and soon the calm crowds turn into a rampaging mob. They raise slogans, vandalise media vans and start pelting stones at security personnel

3:35pm: Paramilitary forces fire tear gas shells, but in vain

3:45pm: Cops and scribes run for their life, as the mob resorts to arson and vandalise government and commercial buildings. Gunshots can be heard

4:18pm: Curfew clamped in Panchkula

4:30pm: Reports of casualties start pouring in

5:40pm: Post the violence, the army comes in, starts sealing the area