Widespread protests against women’s entry to Sabarimala created a near harthal-like situation in district on Wednesday.
Shops and business establishments were forced to shut down by protesters at Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, Guruvayur, Pavaratty, Vadanappilly, Kodungallur, and Mala. The protest tuned violent at Wadakkanchery. The shops, which were refused to down shutters, were attacked. Buses were also attacked.
A march taken out by the Sabarimala Karma Samithy turned violent in many places, including Swaraj Round. A Circle Inspector of police was injured in stone-throwing at Guruvayur.
The agitators pushed down traffic dividers in the city. They threw dividers at the police. Flex boards and banners related to the women’s wall were destroyed. They disrupted traffic at many places. Many people were stranded as most of the buses stopped service following widespread protests. Stones were thrown at buses in many places.
Bharatiya Janata Party and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha activists waved black flags against Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran at Guruvayur on Wednesday.
Around 15 BJP workers and 30-odd Sabarimala Karma Samithy workers, including women, were arrested by the police.
Swearing-in ceremony
The Minister attended the swearing-in ceremony of Malabar Devaswom Board president O.K. Vasu at the Parthasaradhy temple.
As the Minster began his speech, the protesters came up with Namajapa protest. The police arrested and removed them. As soon as the Minister concluded his speech, the Yuva Morcha workers waved black flags at him. The police arrested them too. A strong police force was deployed at the venue to provide security to the Minister.
The BJP activists forced traders to shut down shops in protest against the arrests.
The Minister also inaugurated a multilevel parking space as part of the Amruth project of the Guruvayur municipality.
