Violent clashes at controversial 'godman's ashram

Several persons, including security and media personnel, were injured as clashes erupted at the ashram of controversial 'godman' Rampal here today with police lobbing teargas shells and using batons to disperse his supporters who allegedly fired back.
A number of people including women were injured in the violence at the Satlok Ashram in this town of Hisar district, as authorities attempted to storm the premises and arrest Rampal, against whom fresh Non-Bailable Warrants were issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court yesterday.
However, it was not clear in the melee whether Rampal was holed-up inside the ashram or had moved out as was claimed by an ashram spokesman yesterday.

Ashram spokesman Raj Kapoor had said that Rampal was "unwell" and was being treated at an "undisclosed location".
Media crews faced the brunt of the violence that left some of them injured while cameras of many private electronic news channels were broken.
Police said that many security personnel had also been injured in the violence as they were was firing and stone pelting from the ashram side, with some followers making last-ditch attempts to thwart the forces from storming the premises.

DGP S N Vashisht said police was in the midst of a tough operation.
"Earlier I got two phone calls that they (media personnel) were stopped from entering the operational areas. There were 86 reporters and I permitted each one of them.

"It has been brought to my notice that some media persons have been injured in the ensuing melee or the stone pelting... One I have seen on the news that he has been beaten up by police. I assure you that the matter will be investigated," he said.
The violence has erupted at a time when the Haryana government is racing against time to meet the Friday deadline set by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for producing Rampal in a contempt case.
Security personnel including police and para-military forces stepped up efforts to disperse the followers, said to be in thousands inside the Ashram.

A senior police official said supporters of the 'godman' were firing from inside the ashram but police was exercising "maximum possible restraint to minimise casualties.