Police use batons and water cannon to disperse supporters, as they storm the ashram of controversial guru Rampal at Hisar in Haryana (Associated Press)
Policemen in riot gear stormed controversial guru Rampal's sprawling ashram at Hisar in Haryana today as thousands of his supporters fought to prevent his arrest in connection with a murder case.
The police could not find Rampal, 63, who has been hiding at his "Satlok ashram" in Barwala town for nearly two weeks, using women and children as shields.
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An 11-day waiting game ended in a massive showdown as the police on Tuesday used teargas, batons, water cannons and bulldozers to try and disperse Rampal's supporters. Haryana police chief SN Vashishth said at least 2-3000 people, including women and infants, were sitting outside the ashram as a human wall.
Armed devotees calling themselves 'Baba's Commandos' tried to hold off the police, armed with acid pouches, sticks and stones. Petrol bombs were allegedly also thrown at the police.
After tearing down the main gate and wall of the ashram, the police found over a hundred women and children allegedly held hostage, but there was no sign of Rampal.
Thick smoke from the ashram's roof and incessant gunshots turned the 12-acre complex into a warzone. Around 100 people, including policemen, were injured in the clashes.
Among the injured were about 70 journalists, including the NDTV crew. A policeman was seen in visuals attacking a journalist holding a mic. The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Haryana police to explain violence against the media.
Rampal, an engineer-turned-guru, has repeatedly ignored court summons to appear for questioning in the 2006 killing of a villager by his supporters. The Punjab and Haryana High Court summoned him after his supporters allegedly attacked lawyers during a hearing on the murder case in July.
On Monday, the court had ordered Rampal's arrest by the 21st, or Friday. Despite three warrants since November 5, the controversial guru has managed to avoid arrest, fortified by armed supporters at his ashram. Haryana's ruling BJP also sent its leaders to try and persuade the guru into surrendering, in back-channel talks.
This morning, some of his followers met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and asked for help to prevent his arrest. They were reportedly told that rules need to be followed.
To force Rampal out of hiding, the district stopped water and power supply to the ashram earlier this week and blocked food deliveries. Devotees have been leaving the ashram since morning; some alleged that they were forced to stay by the baba and his supporters.
The state government argued in court on Monday that Rampal is unwell and cannot be arrested as his supporters could turn violent, but judges said "the will to arrest him is lacking." Rampal has skipped court 43 times in four years.
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