Godman Rampal supporters fire at cops, lob petrol bombs; 200 injured

BARWALA | CHANDIGARH: Violent clashes broke out at the Satlok Ashram of self-styled godman Rampal, in Hisar district’s Barwala, leaving over 200 persons, including security and media personnel, injured. Rampal’s supporters stalled his arrest by allegedly firing at the police and lobbying petrol bombs.

Haryana DGP SN Vashisht told a news conference on Tuesday evening that Rampal was hiding in the ashram premises. He faces charges of conspiracy to murder, inciting mobs and contempt of court and the police had arrived to arrest him following issuance of a non-bailable warrant by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. “The operation is on and will continue till the time Rampal is arrested. Police had to resort to lathi charge as Rampal supporters started attacking police personal,” Vashisht said.

Haryana Police lobbed teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse Rampal’s supporters who allegedly fired back, leaving over 200 persons, including over 100 policemen, followers and several media personnel, injured.