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Hundreds of armed supporters of a controversial guru clashed yesterday with baton-wielding riot police who tried to storm his fortified ashram and arrest him in northern India, officers said.
Police fired tear gas and water cannon at devotees of the self-styled god-man who have spent days guarding the sprawling compound outside Hisar city.
More than 100 officers have suffered bullet and other injuries at the compound in Haryana state where supporters of 63-year-old Rampal Maharaj are accused of using women and children as human shields.
"We had prior information that they had stones, petrol bombs, weapons, batons and sticks and acid pouches," director general of police S. N. Vashisht said in the nearby city of Chandigarh.
"We will not stop until we catch this criminal," he added.
Maharaj has repeatedly defied court orders to appear to answer charges including conspiracy to murder, inciting mobs and contempt of court, according to local media reports.
Television footage showed chaotic scenes, with police armed with sticks dragging away supporters, including women, and bulldozers driving towards the ashram's high outer walls.
Devotees described scenes of panic inside, with some saying they were stopped from leaving by more senior supporters as police moved in, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.
"There are so many still inside and the vast majority want to leave," one woman told PTI.


Armed supporters of Indian guru clash with police trying to storm ashram

Supporters of controversial guru Rampal Maharaj throw stones at Indian security officials during a confrontation in Hisar. Photo: AFP

Supporters of controversial guru Rampal Maharaj throw stones at Indian security officials during a confrontation in Hisar.

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Asia

Hundreds of armed supporters of a controversial guru clashed with baton-wielding riot police who tried to storm his fortified ashram and arrest him in northern India, officers said.
