'Very tough operation' underway in Rampal's ashram in Haryana, over 100 injured
Chandigarh/Hisar: With the situation at the ashram of 'godman' Rampal in Hisar district's Barwala town turning volatile, state DGP S N Vashisht on Tuesday said the police was committed to bring out the godman who was "still inside" even as he described the operation as "very tough".
Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar was also closely monitoring the situation and was being given constant updates.
"The chief minister is keeping a close eye on the situation. He is regularly updating himself as the situation unfolds," Khattar's OSD Jawahar Yadav said.
Hisar : Injured police personnel admitted to a hospital pic.twitter.com/ZvQCpBZ2BE
— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2014Asked to comment on some mediapersons getting injured and cameras of some electronic media journalists getting broken in the melee at Satlok Ashram in Barwala town, Yadav said, "It is unfortunate. Media is fourth pillar of our democracy, but I don't know the exact details about the circumstances which led to the attack and injuries to many media personnel".
Speaking to reporters, DGP Vashisht said as per their information Rampal was "still inside the Ashram".
"Our information is that he is still inside," he said. Asked if there had been delay on the part of the police to secure Rampal, the DGP said they were in midst of a "very tough operation".
"One has to understand that we are facing a very hostile group inside the ashram. We know that there are women and children in numbers inside the ashram, and even babies, some just one-year-old. We have over-riding priority to save the innocent lives," he said.
Barwala, Hisar: Clash between Sant Rampal's supporters & police, police baton charge mediapersons pic.twitter.com/ZnxV9n3vGk
— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2014He said the authorities had during the past few days cut-off supplies to the ashram, diverted traffic and used all sorts of "persuasive measures" to execute the High Court orders to secure Rampal.
"We are committed to carry out the directions of the high court and at the same time use minimum force and avoid casualties altogether or keep it minimum," the DGP said.
Police used bulldozers, resorted to firing tear gas shells. Several people were injured even as the situation grew tense.
With Punjab and Haryana High Court yesterday giving the government time till Friday to produce Rampal in contempt of court case, authorities have been asking the devotees in and around the Satlok Ashram to disperse and help them comply with court order.
Sant Rampal supporters attacked us with lathis and acid pouches and petrol bombs: SN Vashisht (DGP) on Hisar incident
— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2014Some people from inside the ashram said that they were being forced to stay inside: SN Vashisht (DGP) on Hisar incident #Rampal
— ANI (@ANI_news) November 18, 2014Some disciples who managed to come out from the ashram premises today claimed that "thousands" of people were inside and most of them wanted to leave but were being prevented by lathi-wielding supporters of the 'godman' from leaving.
A large number of women and children, are among those who are still inside the Satlok Ashram here, they claimed.
Rampal along with 38 other accused was charged with murder and other offences on July 12, 2006 after one person died and several others were injured following a violent clash between his followers and another group. He along with 38 others was being tried in a sessions court of Rohtak.
Rampal was granted bail by the High court on April 2, 2008.
