Rapist Indian guru sentenced to 10 years

A judge has sentenced a flamboyant and controversial Indian spiritual guru to 10 years in prison on charges of raping two female followers.

The sentence was pronounced on Monday amid intense security at a prison in the northern town of Rohtak, where the guru, who calls himself, Dr Saint Gurmeet Singh Ram Rahim Insan, has been in a prison since his conviction on Friday.

The conviction sparked violent protests by his followers that left at least 38 people dead.

A curfew was imposed in Rohtak and in Sirsa town, where guru's Dera Sacha Sauda has a sprawling ashram. Both towns are in Haryana state.

Thousands of police, paramilitary and army soldiers have been deployed in both towns to prevent a repeat of Friday's violence.