The Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday arrested six ‘sevadars’, including two women, in connection with the Hathras stampede that resulted in 121 deaths on Tuesday.

The main accused named in the FIR remains at large, while the authorities plan to question preacher Surajpal alias Narayan Sakar Hari alias Bhole Baba as part of their ongoing investigation, according to a senior officer.

Also Read:Hathras stampede: UP Police files FIR against organisers after 121 killed, Bhole Baba not named

“All six persons who have been arrested worked as sevadars (volunteers) at the satsang,” stated Inspector General of Police (Aligarh Range) Shalabh Mathur during a press briefing.

“When the stampede occurred, the six sevadars who are now arrested had run away from the site. Rs 1 lakh reward is being announced on the arrest of the main accused, Prakash Madhukar. Soon, a non-bailable warrant will be issued against him. We will also investigate if this incident occurred due to a conspiracy,” he added.

Also Read:Hathras stampede: ‘Bhole Baba’ made devotees believe he could bring people back from dead, was arrested in 2000

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Police carried out a search at Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri in pursuit of ‘Bhole Baba’, a self-styled godman who organized the satsang in Hathras where the stampede occurred.

The preacher Surajpal was not mentioned as accused in the FIR lodged at the local Sikandra Rau police station on Tuesday after the stampede at Phulrai village that left 121 people dead in its wake.

A stampede at a religious event in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, killed at least 121 people, including 106 women and seven children, the stampede took place during a ‘satsang’ prayer meeting attended by thousands. Visuals from the Community Health Centre showed numerous bodies being brought in buses and tempos, with grieving relatives present.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an investigation into the incident, and a committee has been formed accordingly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu extended condolences to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. PM Modi stated that the central government is providing all possible assistance to the Uttar Pradesh government.