The Hindu : Kerala News : Heavy rush still at Sabarimala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala

Heavy rush still at Sabarimala

Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

4,000 security personnel at Sannidhanam from Friday

Number of special squads increased
Checking of vehicles to be intensified

PATHANAMTHITTA: Armed guards attached to the Rapid Action Force and the Kerala police will be posted at all gates of the Lord Ayyappa temple and at all entry points of the holy hillock as part of further strengthening the security arrangements at Sabarimala, Inspector General of Police Arun Kumar Sinha, who is also the police co-ordinator at Sabarimala, has said.

Mr. Sinha told The Hindu that strengthening of the existing security force at the Sannidhanam would be made by an additional deployment of 500 policemen from January 9, taking the total number of security force personnel, including Central forces, to 4,000. More Central security forces would reach Sabarimala by Friday, he said. Mr. Sinha said the security system at the Sannidhanam had been rearranged by incorporating Central forces to various inspection squads. The number of special squads too had been increased.

Combing operations

The squads would conduct combing operations at the pilgrim shelters, donor houses and various other places as and when required during the round-the-clock patrolling.

He said steps were taken to check people passing by Paandithavalom, Uppupara and Marakkoottom. Checking of vehicles would be further intensified at Vadasserikkara, Plappally, Chalakkayam, Thulappally, Erumely among others. A novel electronic under-vehicle surveillance system had already been in place at the Chalakkayam toll gate. More trained personnel would join the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad soon, he said.

Mr. Sinha said more modern electronic gadgets for security surveillance would be installed at the Sannidhanam by January 9.

The temple continued to witness heavy rush on Tuesday. The queue for pilgrims waiting for the holy darshan extended beyond Sabaripeetom in the forenoon. Pilgrims had to wait for hours for ascending the holy 18-steps.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala