Self-Styled 'Godman' Rampal Arrested, Whisked Away In Ambulance

Nearly 14,000 followers Wednesday came out of the ashram near Barwala town, 210 km from Chandigarh, even as Rampal continued to evade arrest.

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 also arrested.

Unlike Tuesday's violent clashes between sect followers and security forces, no clash took place Wednesday.

However, tension mounted Wednesday evening as agitated villagers near Barwala, who are opposed to the sect leader, set some vehicles parked nearby 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 Wednesday.

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 director general of police (DGP) said none of the victims bore any bodily injuries.

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," the DGP 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.

Fearing more police action Wednesday after Tuesday's clashes left nearly 300 people, including 110 policemen injured, the followers stranded inside the ashram started leaving. The ashram management had claimed that Rampal was not inside the complex.

District authorities said over 10,000 people, who were inside the ashram complex for the past few days, started leaving early Wednesday after a portion of a 20-feet-high wall of the 12-acre ashram complex was brought down.

Police have booked Rampal - who is already facing charges of murder, inciting mobs and contempt of court - for sedition.