Self-styled 'Godman' Rampal arrested by Haryana police from Satlok ashram in Hisar

Hisar, Haryana: After violent clashes with supporters of the controversial Godman Rampal, the Haryana police finally traced him inside the ashram and arrested him. He will be taken for medical checkup and later produced in the Hisar court on Thursday.

The Haryana police earlier had arrested nearly 270 of Rampal's supporters, which included 20 key functionaries of Satlok ashram, and about 250 people known to be of his private army.

Earlier today the police helped in evacuation of more than 10,000 people to from ashram, but around 4,000 were still stranded inside as they were running out of food and water. Police were also unable not launch a full-fledged assault since Rampal's followers used women and children as human shields.

Sant Rampal arrested from Satlok Ashram (Barwala, Hisar) pic.twitter.com/5ctAOWO7fi

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Earlier, the Haryana police had slapped sedition and other serious charges against Rampal and several of his followers while ruling out any negotiations with him, a day after armed clashes took place.

Purushottam Das, a close aide of the controversial sect leader, was arrested and sent to judicial custody for 14 days. A home ministry official said the central government sent 500 paramilitary personnel to the state to deal with law and order situation.