Hisar turns to war-zone after police tries to arrest 'godman' Rampal

According to TV reports, policemen in riot gear used teargas shells, water-cannons, batons and bulldozers today to enter controversial guru Rampal's sprawling "Satlok Ashram" at Hisar in Haryana as thousands of his supporters fought to prevent his arrest.

After hours of jostling and battling with armed supporters, police finally entered the ashram, only to remain empty-handed, as they couldn't find 63-year-old Rampal, who has been reportedly hiding inside the 12 acre complex.

The development came a day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against Rampal in a contempt case.

Court ordered the government to arrest Rampal by Friday.

On Tuesday the police reached the venue to arrest the self-styled godman as thousands of his supporters are trying to guard him for the past few days by even forming a human shield.

TV reports said, armed devotees calling themselves 'Baba's Commandos' had tried to stop the police, armed with acid pouches, sticks and stones, as the 11-day standoff boiled over on Tuesday.

Petrol bombs were also reportedly thrown at the police.

Thick smoke from the ashram's roof and incessant gunshots this afternoon turned the site into a warzone.

Rampal reportedly remained inside his "fortess" guarded by a massive contingent of men, women and children who formed a human barricade shield outside the ashram.

Haryana police chief SN Vashishth said at least 3000 people, including women and infants, were sitting outside the ashram as a human wall.

Several devotees were injured as the police used batons to disperse them.

Around 100 people, including 40 policemen, were being treated in various hospitals for injuries.

As many as 20 ambulances rushed the injured to hospital.

Many Journalists, were also injured in police action.

Rampal’s followers warned mediapersons on loudspeakers that they would be shot if they approached the ashram. As many as 28 media persons were injured.

Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar convened an emergency meeting of the cabinet to take stock of the clash.

He said if there was an incident (journalists being attacked), "We regret it and will investigate matter."

It has been learnt that Rampal, an engineer-turned-guru, has repeatedly ignored court summons to appear for questioning in the 2006 murder case.

Rampal along with 38 other accused was charged with murder and other offences that took place 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 along with 38 others was being tried in a sessions court of Rohtak.

Rampal has reportedly skipped court 43 times in four years in the case.

Rampal was granted bail by the High court on April 2, 2008.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court again summoned him in person after his supporters allegedly attacked a group of lawyers during a hearing on the murder case last month.

The controversial guru has managed to avoid arrest despite three warrants since November 5.

Supporters of Rampal had said he is sick and would not be able to travel to the court.

But, HC rejected the plea, which took strict cognisance of the fact that Rampal's supporters attacked lawyers.

The bench of justice M Jeyapaul rejected Rampal’s counsel’s request for hearing through video-conferencing or more time on account of ill health. “We are prepared to address that health issue."

On Monday, Punjab and Haryana high court had again expressed displeasure over the failure of the Haryana government in executing non-bailable warrants (NBW) against Rampal in a contempt case.

The state government earlier argued in court that Rampal is unwell and cannot be arrested as his supporters could turn violent, but judges said "the will to arrest him is lacking."

While issuing fresh NBWs against Rampal, the HC had observed, “Police authorities cannot unduly wait for days together to execute the warrants issued by this court… (It) is bound to send a wrong signal to the public.”

After this, the court severely reprimanded state administration, accusing them of being reluctant to arrest Rampal and produce him before court.

After that High Court on Monday issued a new warrant against Rampal after he failed to appear before it.

Some of his followers, has been learnt met Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday morning and asked for help to prevent his arrest.

Media reported that, to force Rampal out of hiding, the district has stopped water and power supply to the ashram and blocked food deliveries.

Devotees have been leaving the ashram since morning, but Rampal still didn't showed up.