Large number of people (not sadhus) let loose! (9)

I believe the answer is:

thousands

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'large number of people' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't see how they can define each other.

'not sadhus let loose' is the wordplay.
'let loose' indicates anagramming the letters.
'not'+'sadhus'='notsadhus'
'notsadhus' with letters rearranged gives 'THOUSANDS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for thousands that I've seen before include "a lot" , "Dan shouts out at many hundreds" , "1000s" , "Large numbers" , "large sum?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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