Chaos in Kerala Assembly over Section 144 around Sabarimala Temple

Thiruvananthapuram: Chaos erupted in the Kerala Assembly on Monday morning with a section of the Opposition demanding the withdrawal of Section 144  in and around Sabarimala temple. The house was later adjourned for the day. 

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) was imposed in and around the Sabarimala Temple since November. On Saturday, the Pathanamthitta district administration extended prohibitory orders till the midnight of December 12. Section 144 prohibits assembly of more than four people in an area. 

As per the decision of the Pathanamthitta district administration, Sabarimala, Elavungal, Nilakkal, Pamba, and Sannidhanam will be under the purview of the police control for four more days.

The police had earlier submitted a report to the district collector, seeking to extend the prohibitory orders until January 14. 

Nearly 69 persons, including state BJP vice-president N Sivarajan, were arrested for breaching prohibitory orders at Nilakkal.