The situation remained volatile near Satlok Ashram in Karontha village on Monday, a day after clashes broke out between activists of Arya Samaj and police personnel leaving three persons, including a woman dead and over 100 people injured.
Besides announcing a grant of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased in the clash, Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda has ordered a magisterial probe by an Additional District Magistrate into the violence but the protesting Arya Samaj activists were adamant on their demand of sealing the Satlok Ashram, instead of giving its possession to the ashram followers.
They even registered their protest by placing the body of Promila on a cot in the middle of the Rohtak-Jhajjar road near Karontha village. Hundreds of people, including a significant number of women, were sitting around the body on the road till late evening. They stated that they would not lift the body till the ashram was sealed by the authorities.
The protesters again went on a rampage this morning when they found a large number of police and CRPF personnel outside Karontha village. They also torched a motor-bike parked along the road and staged a dharna.
Traffic on the Rohtak-Jhajjar highway remained disrupted for the second day as the police had set up barricades on both sides of the highway to divert traffic to alternative routes.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, DGP, Haryana SN Vashisth reached Rohtak late on Sunday night and visited the spot. He also convened a meeting of administrative officials to bring the situation under control. Around 500 CRPF and RAF personnel have been rushed to maintain law and order near Satlok Ashram.
"The situation is tense but under control at Karontha village. Five companies of CRPF have been deputed to maintain law and order. Efforts are being made to sort out the issue. The DGP himself is keeping close tabs on the situation," said Rohtak IGP Anil Rao.
The row over possession of Satlok Ashram, headed by Rampal at Karontha village, 10 km from here took a violent turn when policemen tried to stop protesters of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha (APS) from marching towards the Ashram.
The agitators torched four Government vehicles, including three buses of Haryana Roadways and an ambulance, and some motor-bikes near the Ashram on the Rohtak-Jhajjar road. The mob also smashed window panes of several other vehicles. Tension had been brewing in the area over the Ashram as followers of Arya Samaj claim that the dera is illegal and its presence is affecting peace in the region.
The ashram followers had filed a petition before court which in its judgement had ordered to maintain status quo and asked the authorities to provide safety and security to the dera followers.
Meanwhile, INlD blamed Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for the firing and demanded his resignation on moral grounds. INlD leader and MlA from Ellenabad, Abhay Singh Chautala, said the CM held the Home Ministry portfolio and he was responsible for the firing. Expressing sympathy towards the family of the deceased, the INlD leader also appealed to the people of Karontha and surrounding areas to maintain peace and brotherhood.