India the land of culture and devotion is often taken advantage of by self-proclaimed ‘Godmen’ in the country who manipulate innocent people who are out seeing relief from their troubles. Most often, the people from lower-strata of the society fall prey to such well laid traps by Baba (Godman). This time around Rampal’s Satlok Ashram in Barwala town of Hisar district, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Haryana Police has discovered a bulletproof Tata Safari, a Gypsy, an oil tanker, about 82 motorcycles and two tractors within the Ashram’s premises.
Police reportedly had a tough time entering the premises managed by 62 year old Rampal, as the place had been highly fortified with latest arms and ammunitions, acid syringes and petrol bombs. A while ago Police teams had also recovered 19 air guns, three .32 bore revolvers, two .315 bore rifles, two DBBL 12 bore, 28 cartridges of .32 bore, 50 cartridges of 12 bore and 25 cartridges of .315 bore.
The complex is covered under CCTV surveillance systems to track the visitor movements in the complex. Rampal’s followers had also reportedly attacked the policemen when they were trying to enter the premises. An FIR lodged based on a complain received by SHO Anil Kumar states that, When we marched towards the ashram to hand over a non-bailable warrant to Rampal, his followers started throwing stones at us. Around 800 women were sitting at the ashram’s gate and more than 1,500 men armed with ‘lathis’ and firearms were guarding the ashram. They attacked the policemen with petrol bombs and also opened fire on us. The RAF and the police tried to disperse the mob by lobbing teargas shells and by using water cannon. The attackers also held children and women hostage.”
On inspection Police has also managed to locate five rooms in the basement that are smartly concealed and interconnected to aid easy escape. Many hard discs have also been seized from the place. Police have so far arrested over 800 members on charges of waging war against the state and sedition.
