Spiritual guru's followers brutally attack journos

TRAGIC END: A near total bandh was observed in Ahmedabad against the death of the two children.

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Ahmedabad: Protests against spiritual guru, Asaram Bapu, turned violent in Ahmedabad on Friday. Blaming the spiritual guru's ashram for the death of two boys, people started pelting stones and burning down the vehicles belonging to Bapu's followers.

And in retaliation, followers of Asaram Bapu also indulged in violence. Journalists were beaten up mercilessly by his followers. A Network 18 outdoor broadcast van was completely damaged.

Aajtak Reporter, Gopi Ghanghar said, "We were shooting how the ashram followers were beating up people, when they attacked us and beat us all up."

Times Now Cameraman, Mojudan Gadhvi added, "They started beating us up with sticks and pipes. Our cameras were smashed right on the road. Those who attacked us were ashram volunteers."

It all started when two children, Dipesh and Abhishek, both residents of the ashram, went missing on July 4. Their dead bodies were recovered from River Sabarmati a couple of days later. Police are investigating the case, but parents allege the children were murdered as part of a 'witchcraft' practice by the Ashram.

Asaram Bapu maintains there is no foul play whatsoever in the death of the two ashram children and says that attempts are being made to defame him and the ashram.

"I have never heard of anybody sacrificing children or using their body parts. This is just an attempt to defame the ashram," he stated.

Meanwhile, a near total bandh was observed in Ahmedabad against the death of the two children.

(With inputs from Gaurav Shah)