The Sabarimala temple is set to open for a special pooja on November 5 for a day. Ahead of the crucial day, the Pathanamthitta district administration has announced a temporary ban on large gatherings at the pilgrimage site and its surrounding areas from Nov 3 night. Section 144- which prohibits unlawful assembly- has been imposed in the areas around Sannidhanam, Nilakkal, Pamba and Elavunkal.
Police patrolling will also be intensified to ensure that nobody is harmed.
According to reports nearly 1300 police personnel have been deployed in the area to ensure maintenance of law and order.
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala while accusing the Kerala government of “creating friction instead of dousing passions” in the Sabarimala issue said, “The BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh have only one agenda. The Pinarayi Vijayan government should have come out with a proper plan to avoid trouble.”
Meanwhile, the government, for its part, maintained that it will continue to honor the Supreme Court verdict by allowing women to visit the shrine.
Massive protests broke out in Sabarimala temple and its surrounding areas on October 17, after several women devotees and journalists attempted to enter the holy shrine following the top court’s order.
