Tension escalates in Rohtak as Ashram to be evacuated

The situation in Haryana's Rohtak District continued to be tense on Tuesday with local law enforcement authorities imposing prohibitory orders under Section 144 in an attempt to get the disputed Satlok Ashram in Karontha village vacated.

The area has witnessed clashes between the police and protestors supporting God Man Rampal and his Satlok Ashram.

Scores of police personnel, besides 500 CRPF personnel, have been deployed here with the administration asking the protestors to move out of the ashram.

The police personnel are making repeated announcements appealing the Arya Samaj followers to maintain peace and voluntarily vacate the Ashram.

According to certain media reports, the authorities here are going to demolish the ashram.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has ordered magisterial inquiry into the violent clashes in Karontha in the wake of three people losing their lives and over 100 others being injured following attempts to evict a local god man from the area.

He also described the violence as unfortunate and urged villagers to maintain peace and law and order.

Police has arrested the Chairman of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, Acharya Baldev, and others. A heavy police force has been deployed in the area to prevent further violence.

On Sunday, three buses, 26 police-manned motorcycles and an ambulance were set on fire.

Arya Samaj supporters were protesting against the opening of the Satlok Ashram headed by God man Rampal at Karontha village.