Rohtak violence: Haryana government seals Satlok Ashram

Rohtak: The disputed Satlok Ashram was on Wednesday sealed by Haryana government after nearly 3,000 followers of self-styled godman Rampal vacated the site in Karontha village, where an uneasy calm prevailed. "The ashram has been vacated by the hundreds of followers of self-styled godman Rampal and there is calm now," an official spokesman said.

Satlok Ashram, a cause of dispute between Arya Samajis and Rampal's followers, was the site of violent clashes on Sunday in which three persons were killed and over 100, including 50 policemen, injured. After the order to vacate the ashram, nearly 3,000 followers, camping inside the Ashram since three days, on Tuesday left in several Haryana Roadways buses which were pressed into service for the purpose, officials said. Rohtak Deputy Commissioner Vikas Gupta, who issued the order, said the decision to clear the place of the followers was taken to maintain peace and harmony.

An appeal had been made to the people to vacate the area surrounding Satlok Ashram and return home, the DC said. Arya Samaj activists had placed the body of the one of those killed in Sunday's clashes near a village road and said they would not cremate it till the Ashram was cleared of Rampal's supporters.

Villagers and Arya Samaj activists have been staging protests to mount pressure on the state government to order closure of the Ashram, headed by Rampal. They are also demanding adequate financial assistance for the families whose members were killed in the clashes.

The row over possession of Satlok Ashram took a violent turn on Sunday when police tried to stop activists of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha from marching towards the Ashram. Three people were killed and over 100, including 50 policemen, injured in the violence. Tension has been brewing in the area for quite some time as the Arya Samajis claim the ownership of the Ashram by Rampal is illegal.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has ordered a probe by an Additional District Magistrate into the clash and announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of one of the deceased. He has said action would be taken against those found guilty of indulging in violence.