Indian police clash with armed supporters of wanted ‘godman’

NEW DELHI, Nov 18 (AFP): Hundreds of armed supporters of a controversial guru clashed Tuesday with baton-wielding police who tried to storm his fortified ashram and arrest him in northern India, officers said.

Police fired tear gas and water cannon at devotees of the self-styled "godman" who have spent days guarding the sprawling compound outside Hisar city, some 175 kilometres (108 miles) north of the capital.

Two officers were wounded by what appeared to be live firing coming from the ashram, where supporters including women and children were holed up, director general of police SN Vashisht said.

"We had prior information that they had stones, petrol bombs, weapons, batons and sticks and acid pouches," Vashisht told reporters in the city of Chandigarh.

"Two of our policemen were hit by bullets and are admitted to hospital. It is still a live situation. We will not stop until we catch this criminal," he said, adding that some supporters were calling themselves "Baba's (guru's) commandos".

The guru, 63-year-old Rampal Maharaj, has repeatedly defied court orders to appear to answer charges of conspiracy to murder, inciting mobs and contempt of court, local media have reported.

Television footage showed chaotic scenes, with police armed with sticks dragging away supporters, including women, pushing a media crew and bulldozers driving towards the ashram's high outer walls.

Police were attempting to ensure women and children inside the compound were not caught in the clashes, Vashisht said.