Rohtak:
Authorities today vacated the disputed Satlok Ashram in Karontha village in Haryana's Rohtak district in an effort to defuse the situation which remained tense after Sunday's deadly clash between police and protesters.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 continue to be in place in the area. Large number of policemen and personnel from Rapid Action Force, Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force are present there to maintain peace and calm.
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda once again appealed to the people to maintain calm and peace.
Three villagers were killed and over 100, including 50 policemen, injured on Sunday when villagers marched towards the Ashram, headed by Rampal Maharaj, and threatened to take over the premises if the government did not vacate it.
The protesters torched four government vehicles, including three buses of Haryana Roadways and an ambulance, and some motor-bikes near the ashram on the Rohtak-Jhajjar road. The mob also smashed window panes of several other vehicles.
In 2006, Rampal Maharaj was arrested on charges of rape, murder and rioting and his ashram was seized. He got out of the jail in 2008. In April this year, the Supreme Court ruled that the ashram could stay where it was.
Unhappy with the godman's return, a group of angry villagers armed with lathis tried to march towards the ashram in an attempt to confront and get him to leave the premises. They clashed with the godman's supporters.