Rampal's great fall: Hours before shamed guru gave up, devotees revolted

CHANDIGARH: Finally, it was Rampal's followers, who were his biggest strength, did him in on Wednesday. The staunch supporters of the controversial preacher started crumbling on Tuesday after the police action and around 2,500 of them challenged the ashram management around 11pm.

According to sources, they told the management that they wanted to leave the ashram. The management threatened them saying if they leave Rampal now, they should not come back to the ashram ever. However, they walked out of the premises and waiting police force took them to the bus stand.

Surprised over the sudden development, the cops, who were staying 500-metre away from the ashram, informed the higher-ups and IGP Anil Kumar Rao reached the spot. Several diesel power generators were also called from Hisar to lighten the area around ashram for smooth evacuation. Police scanned each and every follower and those suspected to be members of Rampal's army were taken into custody for interrogation, while others were left at the bus stand or railway station.

With some of the followers walking out, other also followed suit and then a steady flow of people from the ashram continued till late in the evening. Around 10000 people had come out of the ashram without any confrontation on Wednesday.

After police stopped the operation on Tuesday evening, the management had closed all the gates, suffocating people inside the 12-acre covered area. Tear gas shells and smoke added to the devotees' woes.

As the power connection to the ashram was cut for the past five days, the atmosphere inside turned dark, hot and humid. Even the exhaust fans mounted on the roof had stopped working and the devotees started complaining.

What led to exodus

No power supply, suffocation, shortage of food, lack of drinking water and exhaust fans forced Rampal's followers to flee

The devotees were not in touch with their family for days together as their mobile batteries exhausted after the power supply was cut

10 days sleepless nights demoralized them

Death of some followers due to police action spread panic.