Sabarimala: A flash light seen over a hill across the Sabarimala temple, believed to have come from a high power torch in the nearby forests, created confusion among pilgrims who had converged at the Lord Ayyappa temple on the eve of `Makaravilakku`.
As the fluorescent light flashed repeatedly, the devotees mistook it as `Makaravilakku` and started chanting `sarana mantras` with folded hands from all around the shrine. For a while, the temple authorities too were baffled but soon announced through loud speakers that it was not `Makaravilakku". Police and Travancore Deveswom Board (TDB), which manages the temple, has begun investigations to ascertain whether it was a mischievous attempt by some vested interests to bluff devotees and cast the temple authorities in poor shade or it was caused during surveillance by the forest guards.
ADGP P Chandrasekharan, in charge of Sabarimala, said an inquiry has begun to find out whether it was the handiwork of mischief-makers or flashed by forest guards. TDB president M Rajagopalan Nair told reporters here that from the fluorescence of the light and the way it was flashed it appeared to be coming from a high power torch, like the one used by forest guards and Eco-Development Committee volunteers.
However, as soon as this happened some vested interests started passing the word that it was `Makaravilakku` to create confusion and cast the temple authorities in poor light, he said.
"This certainly is a heinous attempt and they would have to suffer the consequences," Nair said. MORE PTI NM RC RBT Bombs recovered from CPI(M) party office
Krishnagar (WB), Jan 15 (PTI) Police recovered three hand made bombs from Gokulpur CPI(M) party office in Nadia under Gayeshpur municipality today and detained two persons for interrogation.
A few CPI(M) workers who came to unlock the party office at around 11am, were challenged by some Trinamool Congress activists who had gathered there. The latter demanded the office should be opened in front of them as they had suspected that there were bombs and firearms stored inside, police said.
Most of the CPI(M) workers left the place soon after. But the local CPI(M) leader Bidhu Bhushan Das, who was on spot, came under pressure from the Trinamool workers to open the party office. Tension prevailed in the area and the Kalyani police was informed, police said.
The party office was kept under lock and key since May 13 last year. Das stated that the keys were not with him. Police told Das to break open the lock. When the door was opened, three bombs were found inside the party office, sources said.
Police detained Bidhubhushan Das and another person for interrogation.
Gayeshpur Municipality is controlled by CPI(M) and all 18 councillors were elected from CPI(M) in the last municipality election.
PTI