Indian police were today scouring the ashram of a controversial guru for explosives, hours after his arrest ended a violent stand-off with thousands of followers that left six people dead.
Police arrested self-styled “godman” Rampal Maharaj late night yesterday more than 24 hours after they stormed the heavily guarded ashram in northern Haryana state using water cannon, tear gas and batons.
Rampal, who faces a series of charges including conspiracy to murder, barricaded himself into the ashram guarded by devotees armed with stones, petrol bombs and other weapons after a court issued a warrant for his arrest.
Police say they have arrested more than 500 devotees, including 250 members of a “private army” dedicated to his protection.
“It was a tough operation, we had to deal with hostile supporters,” police inspector Anil Kumar told the media.
“At the moment we are trying to clear the ashram, the clearing operations are on, our personnel are inside the ashram. They are trying to find if any explosives have been hidden there.”
Police believe around 2,000 followers are still inside the 4.8-hectare (12-acre) compound, and officers using loud-hailers on Thursday urged them to come out.
Police found the bodies of four women and a child inside the ashram on Wednesday, although it remains unclear how they died.
