Security has been tightened at the Sabarimala hill shrine in Kerala ahead of ‘Chithira Aattathirunal’ to be celebrated on Tuesday. The Ayyappa temple will open on Monday evening for the occasion.
The sacred grove of Sabarimala, situated in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, as well the base camps of Pampa and Nilackal, have been brought under strict vigil against the backdrop of the ongoing agitation by various Hindu organisations opposing the Supreme Court’s verdict permitting women of all ages to the forest shrine.
An uneasy calm prevailed in Sabarimala and surrounding areas on Sunday with rumours that woman activists and ultra left-wing organisations were planning a visit in the next two days.
The Sangh Parivar and Hindu organisations too have stepped up vigil against the possible entry of women in the restricted age group with police protection.
However, the police and the district administration have denied the reports that a few women have already sought protection for undertaking the pilgrimage on Monday and Tuesday.
The heavy police deployment at Sannidhanam (the deity’s abode in the hillock), besides Pampa in the foothills and at the base camp of Nilackal, has put the entire area on edge. Even mediapersons were denied entry to Pampa and Sannidhanam till Sunday afternoon for security reasons.
As many as 1,500 police personnel have been deployed at Sannidhanam alone under the direct control of Inspector General M.R. Ajithkumar.
Restrictions on media
On Sunday, the police permitted mediapersons to proceed to Pampa from Nilackal by 8.30 p.m. after strong protests.
However, the crew of television channels were not permitted to take their OB vans beyond Pampa-Triveni at Pampa, ultimately denying permission for live telecast from the Pampa Ganapati temple premises and from the Neelimala-bottom.
There were also reports on the presence of a sizable number of Sangh Parivar workers camping at the holy hillock and inside the forests to check attempts, if any, by young women to enter the Ayyappa Temple premises.
Woman police constables too have been deployed at Pampa and Nilackal. The District Police Chief, T.Narayanan, told The Hindu that a group of woman cops above the age of 50 years have also been kept ready for deployment at Sabarimala Sannidhanam as and when needed.
