Hundreds of Rampal's followers leave Satlok Ashram

Hundreds of followers of self- styled godman Rampal today left the Satlok Ashram following an order by authorities to vacate the disputed ashram in Karontha village here, which remained tense after Sunday's deadly clash between police and protesters.
Rohtak's Deputy Commissioner Vikas Gupta exercising special powers under Section 144 of IPC had ordered that the ashram be vacated immediately.
After the order, hundreds of Rampal's followers, numbering between 1,000 and 1,500, left the Ashram where they had been camping from the last three days, official sources said.
Several Haryana Roadways buses had been despatched to the Ashram earlier today to enable Rampal's followers to leave the premises, they said.

Arya Samaj activists had moved the body of 40-year-old Promila, who died in the clash, to a spot near the village from Rohtak-Jhajjar road, where they had earlier placed it to demand the release of their leaders.
Gupta said an appeal had been made to the people to vacate the area surrounding the Satlok Ashram, and return home.

The decision to get the ashram vacated was taken to maintain peace and harmony in the area, he said.
Villagers and Arya Samaj activists have been staging protest to mount pressure on the government to order closure of the ashram headed by Rampal which they claim is illegal, martyr status to the three deceased and adequate financial help to their kin.

Adequate police force besides 500 CRPF personnel has been deployed in the trouble-torn area to maintain calm.
The row over possession of Satlok Ashram, headed by Rampal, had taken a violent turn on Sunday when police tried to stop Arya Pratinidhi Sabha activists from marching towards the ashram.
Three persons were killed and over 100, including 50 policemen, injured in the clash. Tension has been brewing in the area for quite some time as Arya Samajis claim the ownership of the ashram by Rampal is illegal.
Earlier today, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda appealed to the followers of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, a body representing the Arya Samaj and Satlok Ashram "to keep their emotions under control, go back to their homes and help in maintaining peace and communal harmony."

While making an appeal for peace, Hooda said legal action would be taken against those found guilty of indulging in acts of violence, and held out the assurance that no one would be allowed to harass innocent people.