Khap, BJP leaders hold talks with Satlok Ashram

BARWALA (Hisar): As the situation remained volatile around Satlok Ashram, where controversial preacher Sant Rampal remained entrenched in complete defiance of the Punjab and Haryana high court orders, the state administration on Sunday succeeded in opening a new negotiation channel to make him follow the law of the land. The officials roped in khap leaders of the state to negotiate with ashram management to resolve the issue.
The first round of talks lasted for an hour, after which the negotiators returned to discuss the issue with the administration. At the ashram, the district officials withdrew heavily armed commandos around 1.30pm, easing the standoff between armed volunteers of Rampal’s private army and the cops. By 4pm, more forces were called and positioned at Barwala police station and police lines in Hisar.
An hour later, a delegation of the ashram was taken for another round of discussions by the district administration along with the khap leaders to an undisclosed location.
Asked about the withdrawal of forces deployed to arrest Rampal, Hisar range IGP Anil Kumar Rao asserted that it was part of their strategy and said they would comply with the HC orders.
Khap leaders Shamsher Singh Kharkara, who had contested the assembly polls from Meham seat, and Balraj Kundu from Kundu khap, held talks with the sect management at the ashram, which was represented by Rampal’s son Virender Singh and spokesperson Raj Kapoor. Some BJP leaders, including Tohana MLA Subhash Barala and Surender Punia, who had unsuccessfully contested from Barwala seat, were also part of the delegation.
The administration had cut water and power supply to the ashram a couple of days ago. All roads leading to the ashram are also sealed by the cops.
Ashram spokesperson Rahul Dass said negotiations were continuing with the social groups and Rampal would appear before the court only if his health improves.
Sources told TOI that during their talks with khap leaders, the ashram representatives had put a condition that the government should order a CBI probe into the July 2006 murder case registered against Rampal in Rohtak. The other condition was to arrange the hearing of Rampal via video conferencing. However, the administration remained firm on producing Rampal before the HC on Monday.
If he failed to appear before the court on Monday, the chief secretary and the DGP will have to appear before the HC in person.
Legal experts, however, confirmed to TOI that if Rampal failed to appear before the court, the court could cancel his bail in a 2006 murder case.