Police set to curb pilgrim' violence

Thiruvananthapuram : Cops are planning various strategies, including preventive detentions, curbing any attempts to prevent entry of women to Sabarimala.

By cordoning off the entire area as well as the roads leading to the hill shrine over the last two days, their strategy is to ensure that no protesters proceed beyond Nilakkal base camp.

They do not anticipate a considerable number of devotees on November 5 or 6 as the temple is opening only for a day, that too for Sree Chithira Attathirunal, which is not a very significant occasion.

“Even many hardcore devotees were unaware that the temple used to open for Sree Chithra Attathirunal. Hence if there is a large number of pilgrims on Monday and Tuesday, it needs to be suspected whether they are genuine devotees or those turning up to prevent entry of young women,” a government source said.

They said that since some activists and political parties had made an open call against their entry, the police could exercise reasonable provision of preventive detention.

Meanwhile, police lined up some women officers aged above 50 for deputation at Sannidhanam in case of any women turning up.

Pathanamthitta district police chief T. Narayanan said that so far no woman had sought protection for going to the Ayyappa temple on Monday or Tuesday.

Meanwhile, police denied the allegations that restrictions were made on media to got to Pumpa or Sannidhanam.

State police chief Loknath Behera said in a statement that media was restricted to go to Pumba on Sunday morning as security arrangements were underway.  He also stated that considering the attack on some reporters at Sabarimala last month, adequate security measures were being taken for them as well.