Hisar row: Centre sends 14 CRPF companies to Haryana

The Centre has sent about 1,400 CRPF personnel to Haryana for upkeep of law and order in view of prevailing tension around the Hisar ashram of self-styled godman Sant Rampal, against whom an arrest warrant is pending.

Officials said the paramilitary units will assist state police in rendering law and order duties and will be at the disposal of state police for deployment at any location in the state.

"Fourteen companies have been sent to Haryana in view of the situation in Hisar. They will assist the state police," they said. One CRPF company has about 100 personnel.

The tension in the district started after the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a non-bailable warrant against the self-styled godman and directed the state police chief and the Home Secretary to ensure that Rampal appears in person before it in Chandigarh on or before November 17.

The situation around the godman's ashram in Hisar today continued to remain tense as the ashram has been turned into a virtual fortress by his disciples to prevent police from arresting him.