Supporters of Rampal outside his ashram at Hisar in Haryana
Hisar, Haryana:
For days, thousands of men, women and children have staked out at an ashram in Haryana's Hisar, forming a protective ring around self-styled godman Rampal, who faces arrest in a murder case.
Hunger and cold may finally drive them away, achieving what the police have failed to do for days.
Water and power supply have been cut off to Rampal's Satlok Ashram in Barwala town, and no food in being allowed inside in a strategy to disperse the human shield.
On Monday, a spotter plane was reportedly used for dropping pamphlets asking devotees to leave Rampal's Satlok Ashram; the state government is believed to have asked for drone surveillance.
Since morning, devotees have been leaving the ashram, many saying they were "forced" to stay by the baba and his supporters.
"Baba has locked people in and is not letting them go," said Ram Singh, a farmer from Madhya Pradesh. He says he was asked to come to the ashram for a "Satsang" or discourse, but was ordered to stand outside the gates for days for "Seva" (service).
In his hurry to escape, Ram Singh says he left his belongings and even shoes inside.
The police have orders to arrest Rampal and produce him in court by Friday. The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a new warrant yesterday - the third in two weeks - after he failed to appear. He has skipped court 43 times in four years.
A trickle that began on Monday evening has turned into a steady flow, which a large group of policemen and SWAT commandos has noted with satisfaction.
The state government argued in court that Rampal is unwell and cannot be arrested as his supporters could turn violent, but that did not wash with the judges who said sternly that "the will to arrest him is lacking."
The police believe some men inside the ashram are carrying deadly weapons.
The 63-year-old spiritual guru is out on bail in a case in 2006 when his supporters opened fire on villagers, killing one and injuring several others in Rohtak. A group of lawyers has petitioned the court to cancel his bail after they were allegedly attacked by his supporters earlier this year.
Hunger and cold may finally drive them away, achieving what the police have failed to do for days.
Water and power supply have been cut off to Rampal's Satlok Ashram in Barwala town, and no food in being allowed inside in a strategy to disperse the human shield.
On Monday, a spotter plane was reportedly used for dropping pamphlets asking devotees to leave Rampal's Satlok Ashram; the state government is believed to have asked for drone surveillance.
Since morning, devotees have been leaving the ashram, many saying they were "forced" to stay by the baba and his supporters.
"Baba has locked people in and is not letting them go," said Ram Singh, a farmer from Madhya Pradesh. He says he was asked to come to the ashram for a "Satsang" or discourse, but was ordered to stand outside the gates for days for "Seva" (service).
In his hurry to escape, Ram Singh says he left his belongings and even shoes inside.
The police have orders to arrest Rampal and produce him in court by Friday. The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a new warrant yesterday - the third in two weeks - after he failed to appear. He has skipped court 43 times in four years.
A trickle that began on Monday evening has turned into a steady flow, which a large group of policemen and SWAT commandos has noted with satisfaction.
The state government argued in court that Rampal is unwell and cannot be arrested as his supporters could turn violent, but that did not wash with the judges who said sternly that "the will to arrest him is lacking."
The police believe some men inside the ashram are carrying deadly weapons.
The 63-year-old spiritual guru is out on bail in a case in 2006 when his supporters opened fire on villagers, killing one and injuring several others in Rohtak. A group of lawyers has petitioned the court to cancel his bail after they were allegedly attacked by his supporters earlier this year.
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