Rajneesh 's personal secretary and second-in-command , Ma Anand Sheela ( Sheela Silverman ) , assembled Come_together the group after Turner was appointed Request to investigate illegal activity at the followers ' community , Rajneeshpuram .

The ruling party itself experienced deep rivalries , and in September 1979 the President , Nur Mohammad Taraki , was murdered Committing_crime under orders Request of the second-in-command , Hafizullah Amin , which soured Cause_change_of_position_on_a_scale relations with the Soviet Union .

What happened next has been subject to debate Communication , with the second-in-command , Lieutenant John Edwards claiming Statement that Courtenay had been killed Killing and he was thrown overboard as was the custom at the time .