Indian army patrols as masses support guru in rape case
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Army and paramilitary soldiers are deployed across a north Indian town where masses supporting a flamboyant guru have gathered for the verdict in a court case accusing him of raping two of his followers.
The guru, who calls himself Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan, left his ashram early Friday in a 100-vehicle convoy to appear in court in the town of Panchkula. He has denied the charges.
About 100,000 of his followers were gathered in the town.
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Police have put the town on a security lockdown for fear that a guilty verdict could spark violence.
Police say army soldiers will later march through Panchkula's barricaded streets.