The Kerala Police as well as the Central forces deployed at Sabarimala have made elaborate security arrangements at Sabarimala in view of the 26th anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition that falls on Wednesday.
K.K. Jayamohan, Police Special Officer at Sabarimala, told The Hindu that the police would track the movement of pilgrims from Vadasserikkara on the Mannarakulanji-Pampa main trunk route to Sabarimala from Tuesday. A special security system would come into force at the Sannidhanam on Tuesday. Restrictions would be in place on entry of pilgrims to the Ayyappa temple premises during the next three days. People who did not have a valid identity card would not be permitted to stay back at the hillock from Tuesday to Thursday.
Mr. Jayamohan said helicopters of the Indian Navy would be conducting periodic aerial surveillance over Sabarimala during December 5 to 7.
He said the strength of the bomb detection squad had been increased with inclusion of more specially trained personnel from Monday. Armed security guards, including commandos and special security guards (SSG), would be deployed at key points in the close vicinity of the Ayyappa templefrom Tuesday morning.
People entering the Sannidhanam and the temple premises would be made to pass through the door-framed metal detectors kept at all entry points. He said two close-circuit television sets had been installed at the Aravana plant to monitor and record the activities round the clock.
The ghee brought by devotees for Neyyabhishekom and flowers brought for Pushpabhishekom too would also be subjected to thorough inspection by the bomb squad. Pilgrims would be permitted to carry only the Irumudikkettu while climbing the Pathinettampady till Thursday evening. Mobile phones and bags would not be permitted on the temple premises during the three days, he said.
