This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-30110369
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Indian Guru Rampal arrested after deadly ashram clashes | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Indian police have arrested a controversial guru after a day of pitched battles with his supporters that resulted in at least six deaths. | |
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. |
His supporters threw stones and opened fire when police tried to raid his ashram in the northern state of Haryana. | |
The bodies of four women and a child were subsequently found at the site. | |
A fifth woman, aged 20, died at a local hospital after leaving the ashram. | |
The causes of their deaths have not been revealed. Police say the bodies did not "bear any injuries". | |
The guru was led out of the complex in an ambulance late on Wednesday, as dozens of local villagers cheered the police. | |
He has been taken to the state capital, Chandigarh, a senior police official told the BBC. He is likely to appear in court on Thursday. | |
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 water cannon, and used bulldozers to try to break into the sprawling complex, while ashram members threw stones and other missiles and opened fire. | |
Hundreds of people were hurt in the operation. | |
Police accuse the guru's armed devotees of holding people hostage and using women and children as human shields. | |
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. |
The authorities also cut off power and water supplies to the site. | |
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 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 denied the allegations and was released on bail. The 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 in court by Friday. | |
Many people visit the guru, believing he can cure illnesses. | |
Rampal: How did an engineer become a revered guru? |