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Sabarimala entry UPDATES: Curfew extended for three more days

The Pathanamthitta district administration has extended curfew for three more days at the Sabarimala shrine.
Devotees protest at the foot of the sacred 'Padhinettampadi' against the two women who attempted to enter Sabarimala hill shrine on October 19, 2018. (Photo | BP Deepu/ EPS)
Devotees protest at the foot of the sacred 'Padhinettampadi' against the two women who attempted to enter Sabarimala hill shrine on October 19, 2018. (Photo | BP Deepu/ EPS)
Online Desk

PAMBA: In view of the volatile situation at the Sabarimala shrine, the Pathanamthitta district administration has extended curfew for three more days. The curfew will be enforced from Illavungal to Sannidhanam, said officials. Police have booked cases against 200 people for blocking the entry of women, according to media reports.

On Friday morning, an entry point near the Lord Ayyappa temple virtually turned into an area of confrontation after two women of menstruating age attempted entry.

After a few hours of protests, Kavitha, a reporter from Hyderabad along with Ernakulam-based activist Rehana Fatima, who were just 500 metres away from the Sannidhanam (sanctum sanctorum) of the shrine , agreed to go back after talking to the police team led by IG S Sreejith.

The two young women had reached three-fourths of the distance to the shrine, which is in itself a first. They wore traditional black attire meant for the pilgrimage along with helmets.

After the women arrived at the Nadapanthal, the temple priest's aides started an unprecedented protest in front of the shrine's 18 steps after stopping their daily pooja. They ended their stir after 11 am.

Later, around noon, 46-year-old Mary Sweety from Sharjah was forced to return midway after she requested entry into the shrine.

On Thursday, Suhasini Raj, the New Delhi-based woman journalist was stopped midway. The journalist was accompanied by her foreign male colleague. A case has been registered against devotees who allegedly prevented her trekking.

Here are updates from Friday:

Sabarimala is not a tourist spot, only devotees go there. Right now what Kerala police is doing is wrong. Had there been our government, we would've handled the situation better. We would've talked to devotees, there would've been no violence: Opposition leader Chennithala

Ramesh Chennithala says it was wrong to give woman activist police uniform

 Kerala IG S Sreejith reiterates that protection will be offered to the women who attempted to enter the shrine today.

Activist Rehana Fatima's vandalised house in Ernakulam

Mary Sweety too made to return

Aides of Sabarimala temple's chief priest at the foot of the 18 steps of the hill shrine protesting against the two women who attempted to enter Sabarimala hill shrine on October 19, 2018. (Photo | BP Deepu/ EPS)

 The two women have reached Pamba after a failed bid to enter the Sabarimala shrine.

The royal family of Panthalam issued a statement earlier today stating that a purification ritual (shudikarana or parihara pooja) would have to be performed if any of the customs were found to have been violated at the shrine.
Rehana Fatima, the activist, is seen leaving the shrine after being asked to return. Her house in Ernakulam was vandalised by an angry mob today. (Photo | BP Deepu/EPS)

46-year-old Mary Sweety from Sharjah is requesting the police to let her enter the shrine today. She is asked to wait till senior officers reach the spot. (TV reports)

Police is not allowed to give their protective shields to anybody else. CPI-M's Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had promised nobody would be forcefully sent inside then why are they taking women in with all these safety gears: BJP's K Surendran

Government bound to protect devotees coming to Sabarimala, but not activists, says Devaswom Minister Kadakkampilly Surendran

Protest by temple aides end

Activist says she is going back as there is no other alternative

IG S Sreejith assures that security will be provided to the two women till they reach home.

IG S Sreejith tells mediapersons that the two women have agreed to go back

IG S Sreejith declines to reply to a question from the media asking if the women were going back of their own will or if they were under force by the police.

Parihara pooja on the cards

 A parihara pooja (a ritual performed for cleansing a holy site after violation of any of its customs) is being planned, according to TV reports. 

Police is holding discussions with the women who still insist they should reach the shrine

Devaswom Minister Kadakkampilly Surendran meeting CPI-M's state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

 Kerala Police DGP Lokanath Behera has been summoned by the Governor Palanisamy Sathasivam at his residence.

 The Panthalam royal family has said that if the temple's customs are broken, the sanctum sanctorum will be shut.

Temple aides start protest at pathinettam padi; stop puja

Parikarmikkal (aides of Sabarimala temple's chief priest) start protesting in front of the 18 holy steps at Sannidhanam against entry of women.

Woman activist's residence vandalised: Reports

Miscreants attack the house of the activist who reached Sabarimala. The woman, according to police intelligence is a resident of Mattanchery in Ernakulam and an employee of BSNL. She is a known activist.

Minister EP Jayarajan (Minister for Industries and Sports) contradicts Minister Kadakampally Surendran; says SC verdict will be carried out (TV reports)

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala is accusing the state government of double standards

Devaswom Minister Kadakkampilly Surendran: Don't make temple platform for activism

Kerala Police promise no force will be used to make the two women return.

Police in Catch 22 situation

Police will be in Catch 22 situation if the two women insist on visiting Sannidhanam. IG Sreejith is now talking to the women.

Devaswom Minister Kadakkampilly Surendran speaks

Police decide to escort the two women back as protests mount

The media has been asked to stay away, according to Manorama news.

The journalist has come the closest to the temple than any woman of menstrual age so far. However, situation has become tense as devotees attempt to block their path.

100 police personnel escorting both women till the shrine

The woman reporter is in her late 20s while the details of the second woman, who was carrying Irumudikkettu (holy bundle), was not immediately known. (PTI)

IG Sreejith tells protesters that they are also Ayyappa devotees but they have their duty to perform

A team of police have gathered at the protest venue as women near the Nadapanthal.

Travancore Devaswom Board to meet today on the issue of women entry

TDB president A Padmakumar said the board has always taken a stand that it was ready for any sort of compromise to end the protest and bring normalcy. (Read Here)

Tense situation building up at Sannidhanam

A large group of devotees have started protest at Nadapandhal at Sannidhanam to block the entry of the two women, who are on their way to Sabarimala. Police yet to take a call on whether to use force to disperse the devotees who have gathered at Nadapandhal to block the two women.

Protests against women's entry in Sabarimala shrine continue on Friday

CPI(M), BJP play blame game over Sabarimala violence

Blocking devotees from proceeding to the Ayyappa Temple and forcing them to return by creating terror were part of the RSS-Sangh Parivar's move to 'destroy' Sabarimala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan charged in his Facebook post yesterday. READ STORY HERE

Minister Kadakampally Surendran, BJP chief have row over 'pro-riot' audio tape

A row broke out in Kerala over an audio clip which urged Lord Ayyappa devotees to reach Sabarimala disguised as devotees and create trouble with a Minister targeting the BJP over it and the latter denying any link. READ FULL STORY HERE

Trupti Desai detained from meeting PM Modi ahead of his Shirdi visit

Well-known activist Trupti Desai was detained by police, earlier this morning when she was on her way to Shirdi in Maharashtra. She had written a letter to SP Ahmednagar yesterday demanding to meet PM Modi to discuss the issue ahead of his Shirdi visit today. She had also threatened to stop his convoy if he doesn't meet her.

 

Police in Catch-22 situation; to check background of women arriving at Sabarimala

Kerala Police now have a big task at hand as they have to verify the antecedents of the women aged between 10 and 50 who are reaching Pamba to trek Sabarimala and also brief them about the volatile law and order situation prevailing at the shrine due to stiff protest by devotees against the entry of women in the particular age category and dissuade them.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Curfew extended for three more days at Sabarimala

The Pathanamthitta district administration has extended curfew for three more days at Sabarimala, say TV reports.

Governor Sathasivam summons Kerala police chief to enquire about law and order situation

With the state witnessing tension owing to Sabarimala standoff, Governor P Sathasivam on Friday summoned Kerala police chief Loknath Behera to his office. During the meeting, the Governor sought information about the law and order situation at Sabarimala and adjoining areas in the wake of the protest against entry of women into the shrine. Behera briefed the Governor about the situation and ensured that the police are equipped to provide protection to genuine pilgrims who want to visit the temple.

However, he made it clear that the sentiments of the devotees need to be considered. The meeting lasted for about two-and-a-half hours. The attempt of a Telugu journalist and a Kochi-based activist on Friday morning to enter the shrine had precipitated tension. Reacting to this, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran made it clear that Sabarimala is not a place for activism and only genuine devotees should be going to the shrine.

Devaswom Board to approach SC

The Devaswom Board said it will approach the SC, and inform the apex court about the present situation at the Sabarimala temple, according to TV reports.

CM Pinarayi responsible for causing war-like situation at Sabarimala, says Congress leader Mullappally Ramachandran

Congress chief Mullappally Ramachandran has compared CM Pinarayi Vijayan to Roman Emperor Nero. He said Pinarayi is responsible for creating the mayhem at Sabarimala. The CM is busy touring the Gulf countries along with family when Sabarimala is burning, alleged Mullappally.

MHA's letter to Chief Secretaries & DGPs of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka to take steps to maintain law and order

Government intervened at Sabarimala to avoid riot, says Kerala Devaswom minister

Kadakampally Surendran, Kerala Devaswom minister said the government had to intervene at Sabarimala as miscreats had hatched up a plan to create riot there.

 Who is activist Rehana Fatima?Here is all you need to know

Kerala govt dealing with law & order situation, no objection to democratic protests: Sitaram Yechury

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury has defended the Kerala government on Friday, saying that it is doing its duty to maintain law and order in the state. The government has raised no objection to democratic protests said Yecury, addding that blame game will go on anyway.

Here is a summary of all the major updates from Day 3 of the Sabarimala standoff

WATCH VIDEO | Ground report from Pamba

I don't know what happened to my children. My life is also in danger. But they (police) have said that they will provide protection. That is why I am going back: Rehana Fatima

 It is the police's duty to give us protection, says Mary Sweety after being denied entry into the shrine.

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