Tight security outside Sabarimala temple as protesters continue to resist women's entry

Portals of the Sabarimala temple are due to be opened today for monthly puja.

NILAKKAL: The Kerala government has deployed tight security in and around Nilakkal, the main gateway to Sabarimala temple, as protesters continue to oppose women's entry into the revered hill shrine.

Protests are being held near Pampa base camp against the entry of women in the age group of 10-50 into the Sabarimala Temple, reported ANI.

According to reports, a total of 1,000 security personnel, 800 men and 200 women, have been deployed at Nilakkal and Pampa base camp. At least 500 security personnel have been deployed at Sannidhanam. 

Kerala: Total 1000 security personnel, 800 men and 200 women, deployed at Nilakkal and Pampa base. 500 security personnel deployed at Sannidhanam. Portals of the #SabarimalaTemple will be opened today. pic.twitter.com/yxjJ1CCWzq

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

The state government is also closely monitoring the situation as just a few hours are left for the portal of the Sabarimala Temple to be opened for devotees, including women of all ages as ruled by the top court recently.

The police, deployed in large numbers in Nilakkal which is some 20 kms away from the Sabarimala hilltop, have removed a makeshift shelter erected by a protesting group Sabarimala Achara Samrakshana Samiti.

Kerala: #Visuals of heavy security deployment near Nilakkal, the base camp of #SabarimalaTemple as the portals of the temple are all set to open today. pic.twitter.com/YomkknhEVl

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

The protesting group of devotees had been staging a sit-in chanting Ayyappa mantra in the shelter in protest against the Supreme Court order permitting women of all age groups to enter the shrine.

There were reports that the police had to resort to mild lathi-charge to disperse protesters on Wednesday when they tried to block the buses from the key entry point to the temple.

Meanwhile, pilgrims have begun to arrive at Nilakkal base camp of Sabarimala Temple as the portals of the temple are set to open today.

#TamilNadu: Pilgrims begin arriving at Nilakkal, the base camp of #SabarimalaTemple as the portals of the temple are all set to open today. pic.twitter.com/4Fw4eYvMum

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

Hours ahead of the opening of the hill shrine for the monthly prayer, the police said they would not let anyone block the movement of the people.

Taking the full control of Nilakkal, Police also warned against those who create hurdles in the ways of pilgrims to the hill shrine.

The police took strong action against the protesters after some of them checked the vehicles heading to Pamba and prevented the women in the age group of 10 and 50 from entering the hill shrine.

A couple from Tamil Nadu, aged 45 and 40, on their way to Pamba, were forced to get down from the KSRTC bus Monday night allegedly by some activists of the Sabarimala Achara Samrakshana Samiti.

Although the couple had said that they would go only up to Pamba and not climb Sabarimala, the activists prevented them.

The police later took them to safety.

Some activists of the Sabarimala Achara Samrakshana Samiti, who had stayed back at Nilakkal, also allegedly prevented the media persons from carrying out their professional duty.

The crew of various TV news channels was asked to leave the place. They could return the spot after more policemen were deployed in the area.

Around 500 police personnel, including women, have been deployed in Nilackal to ensure a safe passage to the pilgrims to the Lord Ayyappa temple.

Meanwhile, another group of devotees said they would stage a Gandhian style peaceful protest in Pamba.

Among political parties, Shiv Sena has threatened of mass suicides if women are allowed entry into the temple.

The shrine located on the mountain ranges of the ecologically fragile Western Ghats will be opened later in the evening for the first time after the recent Supreme Court.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said no one would be allowed to block devotees from proceeding to Sabarimala.

The temple would be closed on October 22 after the five-day monthly prayer during the Malayalam month of Thulam. 

(With Agency inputs)