From November 2, the State police will bring Sabarimala and adjoining areas under a tight security cover. The Sabarimala Ayyappa temple is due to open on November 5 for a single day puja.
Priests will conduct special rites to honor Sree Chithira Tirunal, the ruler of erstwhile Travancore, on his birth anniversary.
A senior official said the police were determined to prevent a repeat of the devotee’s protection that marred the opening of the temple on October 17.
As of Monday, the police have registered 529 cases and arrested 3,305 devotees for the participation of “namajapa” protection. An estimated 122 ‘Save Sabarimala’ devotees suspected to be responsible for blocking on activities.
The police said they would deploy roughly 700 officers for Sabarimala duty. Armed police battalions, including companies of armed women officers to prevent any kind of protection, would bivouac at the Pathanamthitta district headquarters.
Along with right-wing groups, the police would also deter atheist and Left groups from attempting to use the temple opening as a propaganda platform for their ideologies.
A senior officer said the police reserved the right to stop anybody they thought was not a genuine pilgrim from proceeding to the temple. He said the police were not anticipating huge crowds on November 5.
Photo credit: dailypioneer.com
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