Police crackdown at Ramlila ground, Baba Ramdev taken out of Delhi

Agencies

New Delhi, 05 June 2011: In a dramatic development around 1.10 am on Sunday, June 5, 2011 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.