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Guru Rampal clashes: Indian police find five bodies Guru Rampal clashes: Indian police find five bodies
(35 minutes later)
Indian police say the bodies of four women and a child have been found at the ashram of a controversial guru following clashes between his supporters and the security forces.Indian police say the bodies of four women and a child have been found at the ashram of a controversial guru following clashes between his supporters and the security forces.
Their cause of death is being investigated.Their cause of death is being investigated.
Police tried to storm the complex in northern Haryana state on Tuesday. Nearly 200 people were injured.Police tried to storm the complex in northern Haryana state on Tuesday. Nearly 200 people were injured.
The self-styled guru, known as Rampal, is wanted in connection with a 2006 murder case and for contempt of court.The self-styled guru, known as Rampal, is wanted in connection with a 2006 murder case and for contempt of court.
Several thousand policemen are still outside the ashram and the situation is described as tense.Several thousand policemen are still outside the ashram and the situation is described as tense.
A week-long stand-off at the Satlok Ashram - some 170km (105 miles) north-east of Delhi - escalated on Tuesday as police moved in to arrest Rampal. Police fired tear gas and used bulldozers to try to break into the sprawling complex, while ashram members threw stones and other missiles and opened fire.A week-long stand-off at the Satlok Ashram - some 170km (105 miles) north-east of Delhi - escalated on Tuesday as police moved in to arrest Rampal. Police fired tear gas and used bulldozers to try to break into the sprawling complex, while ashram members threw stones and other missiles and opened fire.
Police say the bodies of those brought out of the ashram on Wednesday did not "bear any injuries".Police say the bodies of those brought out of the ashram on Wednesday did not "bear any injuries".
"We don't know when the deaths [of the four woman and the child] occurred and it is not clear how they died. We are waiting for the post mortem reports," Haryana police chief SN Vashisht told reporters."We don't know when the deaths [of the four woman and the child] occurred and it is not clear how they died. We are waiting for the post mortem reports," Haryana police chief SN Vashisht told reporters.
A fifth woman, aged 20, who came out of the ashram early on Wednesday in a "serious condition" had died in a local hospital, he said, adding that she had been undergoing treatment for a heart condition.A fifth woman, aged 20, who came out of the ashram early on Wednesday in a "serious condition" had died in a local hospital, he said, adding that she had been undergoing treatment for a heart condition.
At the scene: Atish PatelAt the scene: Atish Patel
Outside the ashram, there's a long line of buses that have carried police officers from neighbouring areas. Scattered around the buses are vehicles belonging to the media.Outside the ashram, there's a long line of buses that have carried police officers from neighbouring areas. Scattered around the buses are vehicles belonging to the media.
There's just one road that leads to the ashram from Bawala town and that's been blocked by the police to the public.There's just one road that leads to the ashram from Bawala town and that's been blocked by the police to the public.
The ashram is surrounded by farmland and police officers in army fatigue equipped with helmets and shields have spread out across the surrounding fields.The ashram is surrounded by farmland and police officers in army fatigue equipped with helmets and shields have spread out across the surrounding fields.
Also on a stretch of road some 2km (1.24 miles) away from the ashram there are several abandoned cars parked on the side with their windows smashed.Also on a stretch of road some 2km (1.24 miles) away from the ashram there are several abandoned cars parked on the side with their windows smashed.
These cars were used by Rampal's supporters as a barricade outside the ashram's main gate. Police removed these vehicles on Monday.These cars were used by Rampal's supporters as a barricade outside the ashram's main gate. Police removed these vehicles on Monday.
It is calm, but tension is mounting as more police officers arrive to prepare for the day.It is calm, but tension is mounting as more police officers arrive to prepare for the day.
In pictures: Ashram stand-off
Many people visit the guru, believing he can cure them or their relatives of their illnesses, say police who accuse his armed supporters of holding people hostage and using women and children as human shields.Many people visit the guru, believing he can cure them or their relatives of their illnesses, say police who accuse his armed supporters of holding people hostage and using women and children as human shields.
Some 10,000 of these devotees left the ashram overnight after police suspended operations, Mr Vashisht said, adding that another 5,000 people were still holed up inside.Some 10,000 of these devotees left the ashram overnight after police suspended operations, Mr Vashisht said, adding that another 5,000 people were still holed up inside.
At least 270 people have been arrested in connection with Tuesday's clashes and charged with rioting, illegal detention, attempt to murder and waging war against the state.At least 270 people have been arrested in connection with Tuesday's clashes and charged with rioting, illegal detention, attempt to murder and waging war against the state.
Police believe Rampal is still inside the ashram, despite the guru's spokesperson telling the media that he had already "been shifted out and is undergoing treatment in a private hospital outside the state".Police believe Rampal is still inside the ashram, despite the guru's spokesperson telling the media that he had already "been shifted out and is undergoing treatment in a private hospital outside the state".
"Rampal is still inside, according to our information, and we are advising him to surrender," Mr Vashisht said."Rampal is still inside, according to our information, and we are advising him to surrender," Mr Vashisht said.
Police have also cut off power and water supplies to the complex.Police have also cut off power and water supplies to the complex.
Mani Ram, a devotee who managed to escape, told the Indian Express newspaper that ashram authorities had prevented them from leaving for two days, insisting police would kill them if they went outside.Mani Ram, a devotee who managed to escape, told the Indian Express newspaper that ashram authorities had prevented them from leaving for two days, insisting police would kill them if they went outside.
Who is Rampal?Who is Rampal?
Rampal: How did an engineer become a revered guru?Rampal: How did an engineer become a revered guru?
Rampal is accused of involvement in a murder case dating from 2006 in which a man died in a clash at another of his ashrams.Rampal is accused of involvement in a murder case dating from 2006 in which a man died in a clash at another of his ashrams.
He denies these allegations and is on bail, but authorities ordered his arrest on contempt charges after he repeatedly failed to appear in court.He denies these allegations and is on bail, but authorities ordered his arrest on contempt charges after he repeatedly failed to appear in court.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had set a final deadline for Rampal to appear in court on Monday in the contempt case.The Punjab and Haryana High Court had set a final deadline for Rampal to appear in court on Monday in the contempt case.
Rampal ignored the summons and his lawyers said he was too ill to make the 250km (155-mile) journey to the court in Chandigarh, which serves as the capital of both states.Rampal ignored the summons and his lawyers said he was too ill to make the 250km (155-mile) journey to the court in Chandigarh, which serves as the capital of both states.
The judges criticised the government, saying they "lacked the will" to arrest the guru and said he must be presented in court by Friday.The judges criticised the government, saying they "lacked the will" to arrest the guru and said he must be presented in court by Friday.