Baba Ramdev at Ramlila ground
NEW DELHI: In a dramatic development around 1.10 am on Sunday, the government reportedly cancelled the permission for Baba Ramdev's yoga camp at Ramlila Maidan.
Chaos prevailed at the Ramlila Maidan as news spread that the yoga guru may be arrested. A posse of women supporters formed a human cordon around him making the job of police difficult to approach him.
Five paramilitary companies were rushed to the spot. Baba Ramdev was seen appealing to his supporters to maintain peace. Delhi police said they had ordered Ramdev to leave the city.
Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said Baba Ramdev was detained as he was leaving the site.
The yoga guru was physically removed from the Ramlila ground that left many injured and the protest venue in shambles. Hundreds of people dispersed from the ground after heavy tear-gassing by anti-riot police.
Police said Section 144 has been imposed at the area under which any gathering of people would not be permitted.
The Ramlila ground was booked for 20 days by Baba Ramdev, who had also turned it as the venue for his "satyagraha" movement.
Earlier, home secretary GK Pillai had maintained that he was not arrested or detained, a point echoed by Delhi police Commissioner BK Gupta, who also rushed to the spot.
Gupta said there were some security concerns and that the permission for the yoga camp has been cancelled.
He said Ramdev's supporters indulged in stone throwing. Police did not use force except to use some tear gas, he added.
Ramdev's key aide, Tijarawala alleged that he has been "kidnapped" by police and he feared for his life. The spokesman appealed to the Chief Justice of India to intervene and ensure Ramdev's safety and release.
After clearing Ramlila Maidan of Baba Ramdev's followers, police tried to forcibly evict mediapersons covering the protest. However, police led by senior women officials could not succeed as media personnel resisted their attempts to evict them away from the site.
Around thirty people were injured when police fired teargas shells to disperse the crowd which had gathered at Ramlila Maidan to support Baba Ramdev.
"Almost thirty people, who sustained injuries have been admitted to nearby Lok Nayak Jai Prakash hospital," a senior medical official in LNJP hospital said.
Earlier in the day, just as the face-off between the government and Baba Ramdev inched towards a resolution, negotiations hit a bump with the yoga guru alleging betrayal by government negotiators and the Centre warning that it could take tough measures.
The vibes between the two sides soured dramatically, dealing a blow to the prospect of an early resolution. However , a fresh effort for conciliation was afoot with the government sending the yoga guru a commitment in writing that it would soon bring a law aimed at declaring ill-gotten wealth to be a national asset , providing for its confiscation as well as harsher punishment for the corrupt.
In turn, it expects the Baba to call off his protest on Sunday. Ramdev, however, said he would announce his next course of action only after "I hear from the PM."
The government's expectation of a Ramdev announcement by mid-day that he would end his fast after being assured on his demands did not fructify. This led telecom minister Kapil Sibal to reveal Baba's handwritten commitment to end his protest in two days. As per the letter given to the government on behalf of Ramdev, he was to turn the fast into a meditation session before winding up on Monday.
However, Ramdev did not comply, because of what he termed a lack of clear commitment to promulgate an anti-black money law.
Chaos prevailed at the Ramlila Maidan as news spread that the yoga guru may be arrested. A posse of women supporters formed a human cordon around him making the job of police difficult to approach him.
Five paramilitary companies were rushed to the spot. Baba Ramdev was seen appealing to his supporters to maintain peace. Delhi police said they had ordered Ramdev to leave the city.
Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said Baba Ramdev was detained as he was leaving the site.
The yoga guru was physically removed from the Ramlila ground that left many injured and the protest venue in shambles. Hundreds of people dispersed from the ground after heavy tear-gassing by anti-riot police.
Police said Section 144 has been imposed at the area under which any gathering of people would not be permitted.
The Ramlila ground was booked for 20 days by Baba Ramdev, who had also turned it as the venue for his "satyagraha" movement.
Earlier, home secretary GK Pillai had maintained that he was not arrested or detained, a point echoed by Delhi police Commissioner BK Gupta, who also rushed to the spot.
Gupta said there were some security concerns and that the permission for the yoga camp has been cancelled.
He said Ramdev's supporters indulged in stone throwing. Police did not use force except to use some tear gas, he added.
Ramdev's key aide, Tijarawala alleged that he has been "kidnapped" by police and he feared for his life. The spokesman appealed to the Chief Justice of India to intervene and ensure Ramdev's safety and release.
After clearing Ramlila Maidan of Baba Ramdev's followers, police tried to forcibly evict mediapersons covering the protest. However, police led by senior women officials could not succeed as media personnel resisted their attempts to evict them away from the site.
Around thirty people were injured when police fired teargas shells to disperse the crowd which had gathered at Ramlila Maidan to support Baba Ramdev.
"Almost thirty people, who sustained injuries have been admitted to nearby Lok Nayak Jai Prakash hospital," a senior medical official in LNJP hospital said.
Earlier in the day, just as the face-off between the government and Baba Ramdev inched towards a resolution, negotiations hit a bump with the yoga guru alleging betrayal by government negotiators and the Centre warning that it could take tough measures.
The vibes between the two sides soured dramatically, dealing a blow to the prospect of an early resolution. However , a fresh effort for conciliation was afoot with the government sending the yoga guru a commitment in writing that it would soon bring a law aimed at declaring ill-gotten wealth to be a national asset , providing for its confiscation as well as harsher punishment for the corrupt.
In turn, it expects the Baba to call off his protest on Sunday. Ramdev, however, said he would announce his next course of action only after "I hear from the PM."
The government's expectation of a Ramdev announcement by mid-day that he would end his fast after being assured on his demands did not fructify. This led telecom minister Kapil Sibal to reveal Baba's handwritten commitment to end his protest in two days. As per the letter given to the government on behalf of Ramdev, he was to turn the fast into a meditation session before winding up on Monday.
However, Ramdev did not comply, because of what he termed a lack of clear commitment to promulgate an anti-black money law.
No comments:
Post a Comment