United Democratic Front workers, led by Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, defied the prohibitory orders imposed at Nilackal and Pampa on Tuesday.
As many as 250 UDF workers led by front leaders reached the Nilackal base camp by forenoon. Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Anto Antony, N.K. Premachandran, MPs, Benny Behenan, UDF convener, P.J. Joseph, M.K. Muneer, Adoor Prakash, Babu George, Johny Nelloor, C.P.John, P.Mohanraj, and Pazhakulam Madhu were in the UDF team.
They staged a sit-in on the main trunk road leading to Sabarimala at Nilackal. The supporters chanted Ayyappa hymns at the sight of Superintendent of Police Yatheesh Chandra advancing to the protest venue.
High drama
Nilackal witnessed high drama as Mr. Chandra reached the spot and sought the cooperation of the protesters.
The SP said four MLAs could proceed to Sabarimala and the remaining may go to Pampa in a KSRTC special service from Nilackal owing to restrictions in view of the prohibitory orders.
But, the UDF leaders insisted that all of them should be permitted to go in a group to Pampa.
Mr. Chennithala and Mr. Chandy accused the police of harassing Ayyappa devotees and demanded immediate lifting of the ban orders.
Mr. Premachandran said the CPI(M) and the police were treating devotees and protesters alike. He said it was strange to see a democratically elected government considering the chanting of “Ayyappa Saranom” at Sabarimala as a serious violation. However, the police later permitted the UDF leaders and workers to proceed to Pampa in a KSRTC bus.
Unlike the previous days, no arrest was made for violating the prohibitory orders.
