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One killed as ashram inmates `fire' at villagers

Special Correspondent

People's resistance to activities at Sat Lok Ashram led to the clash

CHANDIGARH: At least one person was killed and 58 injured on Wednesday after inmates of Sat Lok Ashram in Karauntha village allegedly opened fire on irate villagers. The Deputy Commissioner of Rohtak, R.S.Doon, claimed later in the evening that the situation was under control and additional police force had been deployed.

Mr. Doon said the villagers of Deenghal, falling in Jhajjar district, had been objecting to "certain'' activities going on in the Ashram. Karauntha village is located on the border of the two districts -- Jhajjar and Rohtak. The villagers of Deenghal had called a Panchayat of representatives of 27 villages on Wednesday afternoon but failed to reach any conclusive decision. Some villagers went near the Ashram and started shouting slogans against the Ashram head, Swami Rampal. Mr.Doon disclosed that inmates of the Ashram allegedly opened fire on the villagers who were demonstrating outside. The police immediately swung into action. Mr.Doon and the SP, C.S.Rao, rushed to the spot and pleaded with the villagers that Section 144 and 145 had been promulgated near the Ashram and they should disperse and return to their homes. But tension persisted and additional police force was summoned. The Commissioner of Rohtak Range, N.C.Wadhwa, also reached the spot.

It was only after receiving assurances from the senior officers that the large number of villagers left for their homes. Mr.Doon said that six companies of ITBP had been stationed to prevent any untoward incident.

The injured were rushed to the PGI, Rohtak. One person was declared brought dead while three are said to be in a serious condition.

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