31 dead in Dera violence: Home Ministry

New Delhi, Aug 26 : The Union Home Ministry on Saturday said 31 persons were killed in Haryana Dera violence on Friday after a court held Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh guilty of rape.

A ministry statement said 29 deaths occurred in Panchkula and two in Sirsa, where the Dera is headquartered.

At least 250 persons were injured in the widespread mayhem that erupted immediately after the self-proclaimed godman was taken into custody. The injured included 60 policemen.

The statement said the situation in Haryana was "still very tense but under control"