KOCHI: BJP national president Amit Shah’s open call for protest against the LDF government on Sabarimala issue has thrown up a major challenge for the state government in ensuring law and order situation at the hill shrine when the temple opens for a single day pooja on November 5.
It’s for certain that the law and order at Sabarimala, Pampa and nearby regions will be highly volatile and any attempt by a woman in the age group of 10 to 50 to trek Sabarimala defying the protests against the Supreme Court verdict will result in clashes.
Hindu outfits have reiterated that they will not allow the state government to hurt the sentiments of crores of devotees by breaking the centuries-old custom and belief of the temple.
The Kerala police have landed in a tight spot as ensuring law and order in this highly volatile scenario will be tough without using force. “This is not a procession or hartal called by an organisation or political party. It’s about the sentiments of a particular religious community and if not delicately handled, things will spiral out of control,” said a police officer.
Top police officers led by State Police Chief Loknath Behera are brain storming on a daily basis for putting in place a solid security scheme at Sabarimala to prevent untoward incidents.
Thiruvananthapuram range Inspector General Manoj Abraham said tight security will be in place at Sabarimala and Pampa for the pooja scheduled on November 5. “There will be fool-proof security arrangements to ensure law and order,” he said.
Since the pilgrim flow for the single-day opening will be comparatively less, police are planning to allow trekking of pilgrims only in batches under their watch.
Hindu Aikya Vedi vice-president K Haridas said all Hindu outfits, including representative of thantri families, will come together for a discussion in Kottayam on the issue on November 1. “We will chalk out our future action plan at this meeting,” he added.