Operation to continue till Rampal's arrest: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar
Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the operation to nab 'godman' Rampal will "continue till he is arrested" from Satlok Ashram at Barwala in Hissar district.
The Chief Minister chose Twitter to put forward his views on the violence at Barwala, which left over 200 persons injured.
Khattar, who is also the Home Minister, faces the first major test on the law and order issue involving Rampal since he took over as Chief Minister recently.
There are a number of self-proclaimed godmen in Haryana and neighboring Punjab having a considerable say during Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the two states.
Khattar has not met the media since the showdown commenced at Barwala last week between the Ashram followers and security personnel, including paramilitary forces.
In first tweet Khattar said, "Serious charges of sedition against Rampal & several followers by Haryana Police. Operations to continue till he is arrested from Ashram."
In the second tweet, the Chief Minister said, "Govt. & Police are committed to ensure strict compliance of High Court orders, priority is to uphold the law without loss of innocent lives."
Even as the operation was on at Barwala, he met people at his residence on Tuesday and Wednesday, but did not meet the media who were briefed by the DGP S N Vashisht and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) P K Mahapatra.
Earlier on November 15, Khattar had through a statement appealed to Rampal to present himself in court "in a peaceful manner" and "without any hindrance", saying, "one must give utmost priority to upholding the dignity of judicial system."
He had also appealed to his followers to cooperate in following the directions of Punjab and Haryana High Court. "In a democratic set up, one must give utmost priority to upholding the dignity of judicial system," he had said last week after which he made no comments on the situation.
Punjab and Haryana High Court yesterday issued a fresh non-bailable warrant against Rampal after he failed to appear in the contempt case.
