(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Haryana Police finally arrested elusive self-styled godman Rampal last evening from his fortified ashram in Haryana. At least six people lost their lives in the stand-off as Rampal eluded the police, while many of his key aides and around 450 supporters were also arrested.
Rampal was whisked away in an ambulance by police.
The deaths of five women and an infant occurred during a stand-off and violent clashes between the controversial sect leader's followers and the security forces.
Senior police officers and personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force and Haryana Police entered the ashram complex last evening and Rampal was arrested just after 9pm.
"We have arrested him. He is in our custody. He is being taken to hospital for medical examination," a senior police officer said outside the ashram.
"He will be produced in the relevant court tomorrow (Thursday)," he said.
Not much resistance was offered by Rampal's supporters and his private army when he was taken into custody, a police officer said.
Nearly 14,000 followers yesterday came out of the ashram near Barwala town, 210km from Chandigarh, after a portion of a 20-feet-high wall of the 12-acre ashram complex was brought down.
Rampal's key aides, including his relative Purshottam Dass, and spokesman Raj Kapoor were earlier taken into custody, police said.
At least 450 supporters, including private commandos, were arrested.
Unlike Tuesday's violent clashes between sect followers and security forces, no clash took place yesterday.
However, tension mounted last evening as villagers near Barwala, who are opposed to the sect leader, set some vehicles on fire.
Earlier, Haryana Police chief S N Vashisht told the media in Chandigarh that bodies of four women were handed over by Satlok Ashram authorities to police yesterday.
One woman who had a heart ailment and an 18-month-old child, reportedly suffering from jaundice, died in hospital due to lack of timely medical care, he said.
The police chief said none of the bodies bore injury marks.
He said the exact cause of their death would be known only after post-mortem examination.
"Police did not fire a single shot in the whole operation," he said.
Police sources said Rampal and a private army of volunteers were holding followers hostage inside the premises. "They were using women and children as shields," a police officer said.
Police have booked Rampal - who is already facing charges of murder, inciting mobs and contempt of court - for sedition.
He has also been booked for attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, illegal detention, rioting and preventing government servants from performing duties, the DGP said.
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