Evacuation was still at the Satlok ashram at Hisar in Haryana, on even as self-styled 'godman' Satpal was arrested by the police. Earlier in the day, the police had arrested his close aidePurshottam Das and haddetained between 250 and 450 devotees.

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

Haryana Director General of Police S N Vashisht on Wednesday asserted that police will continue its operation till he is arrested for production before Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday in a contempt case.

Followers of Sant Rampal leaving the Satlok Ashram in Hisar. Photograph: ANI/Twitter

He said the ashram authorities have handed over bodies of four women and two sick persons, including an infant, who also died in a hospital later. The cause of their death will be investigated.

Police use batons and water cannon to disperse supporters of controversial guru Sant Rampal outside Satlok Ashram on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI photo

There is no possibility of negotiations... There is not even any plan.. He is accused of serious crimes. My suggestion to him is that he should surrender before the law, Vashisht said while addressing a press conference in Chandigarh.

A large number of followers of godman Rampal, who had been holed up in hisashram for days, came out on Wednesday and narrated how they were virtually confined there along with thousands more who too were desperately wanting to leave the premises.

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Ashram showdown: Supporters being evacuated, several hundreds held