A local court in Hisar on Thursday is likely to pronounce its verdict in two separate cases pertaining to death of five women and an infant during several days long stand-off between the Haryana Police and self-styled godman Rampal’s supporters in November 2014.
Rampal's counsel M.S. Nain told The Hindu that two FIRs — 429 and 430 — were registered in connection with the six deaths and verdict would be pronounced in these two cases.
The clashes had broken out between the supporters of Satlok Ashram head Rampal and the police in Hisar’s Barwala town when the police went to arrest the godman to produce him before the Punjab and Haryana Court in connection with a murder case. The stand-off ended on November 19, 2014 with the arrest of Rampal and several of his supporters.
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Meanwhile, the security has been stepped up in Hisar and the adjoining towns fearing backlash by the supporters of Rampal. The police deployment has been made at the abandoned Satlok Ashram as well.
District Magistrate Ashok Kumar Meena imposed Section 144 in Hisar on Wednesday prohibiting carrying of weapons and gathering of five or more persons. He said that no one would be allowed to take the law in their hands.
Duty Magistrates have been appointed in Hisar and adjoining towns of Hansi and Barwala, besides reinforcements have been called.
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The decision will be pronounced at a makeshift court inside the district jail around noon.