Thiruvananthapuram | The Kerala Police on Wednesday lathicharged and pelted stones at the protestors opposing women’s entry from age 10 to 50 in the Sabarimala Temple at the Nilakkal base camp in Kerala.
#WATCH: Police lathi-charge and pelt stones at the protesters gathered at Nilakkal base camp, in Kerala. #SabarimalaTemple pic.twitter.com/DMC1ePz0l2
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
The violent protestors blocked various female journalists and women devotees from entering the temple premises. The protesting crowds took control of the Nilakkal area and pelted stones at Police vehicles, including the KSRTC buses on way to Pamba. The women were forced to get out of there vehicles who were on their way to the shrines.
The Bharatiya Janta Party blamed the ruling LDF government for the violence at the Nilakkal base camp. BJP leader MS Kumar said, “LDF govt is fully responsible for any law & order situation in state. It’s a very unfortunate situation, we aren’t responsible. No BJP worker is involved, we’re condemning that attempt.”
LDF govt is fully responsible for any law & order situation in state. It’s a very unfortunate situation, we aren’t responsible. No BJP worker is involved, we’re condemning that attempt: MS Kumar, BJP on incidents of violence at Nilakkal base camp. #SabarimalaTemple #Kerala pic.twitter.com/Flv76yeQs6
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
Activist Rahul Easwar who is against the Supreme Court verdict of allowing the women of all age group to enter Sabarimala has also been arrested from Nilakkal base camp and a non-bailable FIR has been registered against him. Speaking to media on his arrest, Easwar said, “I didn’t hit any woman there. I was moving to the other direction. It’s a vendetta against me.”
Activist Rahul Easwar has been arrested by from Nilakkal base camp&a non-bailable FIR has been registered against him. He is kept at Pamba police station.Easwar says to ANI ‘I didn’t hit any woman there. I was moving to the other direction. It’s a vendetta against me.’ (file pic) pic.twitter.com/T7t25hJ1Kq
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
The Network of Women in Media has vehemently denounced the attacks on journalists, including several women journalists, at Nilakkal/Sabarimala. We demand that Chief Minister of Kerala take immediate action against agitators who let violent assailants loose on journalists.
NWMI vehemently denounces attacks on journalists, including several women journalists, at Nilakkal/Sabarimala. We demand that CM&govt of Kerala take immediate action against agitators who let violent assailants loose on journalists: Network of Women in Media, India
— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018
Meanwhile, the Portals of Sabarimala Temple opened at 5 pm today. The devotees can offer prayers till 10.30 pm while the portals remain open till 22nd October.
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