Hisar Standoff: Operation to arrest Rampal is about to enter final phase

Amid the ongoing efforts by the Haryana police to nab the controversial godman Sant Rampal, Inspector General (IG) of the state police Anil Kumar Rao on Wednesday said that

the operation to arrest Rampal has gone better than expecting, adding that the operation will soon enter its final phase.

"The operation has gone better than expected. Our forces have done a commendable job. Many phases of operation are complete and we are going to enter the final phase very soon," Rao told the media.

"Six deaths have been reported so far: five dead bodies have been recovered from inside the ashram and one woman died in hospital," he added.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju stated that the Centre cannot intervene and help nab Rampal unless the state government asks for assistance.

"If the state government seeks some kind of assistance, only then can the Central government act. The situation is not out of control, the state government is monitoring the issue. The state government is acting on the court's direction, so we cannot interfere," Rijiju said

to the media.

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Rijiju also downplayed the allegations of the complete breakdown of law and order in Hisar.

"This is a case of the breaking down of law and order. This is related to a particular ashram in that area. It is not that the entire state machinery has broken down," he said.

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Controversial godman Sant Rampal continues to evade law and defy the Haryana and Punjab High Court's orders to surrender. The police had earlier used tear gas shells, water cannons and batons outside the

ashram to disperse Rampal's supporters, who allegedly fired back,leaving several people, including some media persons injured.

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Rampal has been charged with murder, attempt to murder and other charges under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 2006 after his followers attacked villagers.