Last month, Section 144 was imposed for five days. More than 3000 people were arrested and 543 cases were filed in connection with the protests last month.
Tiruvanantpuram| As Kerala’s Sabarimala temple is all set to open the gate for its special prayer, the district administration imposed Section 144 in surrounding areas on Friday. The temple will open on November 5 for the three-day prayer. After a ruckus in the temple premises over the entry of women last time, the Pathanamthitta district administration imposed the section banning gathering of people in areas surrounding the temple as a cautionary measure.
The ban means more than four people cannot gather at Saanidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal and Elavunkal from November 4 to November 6. Reportedly, the police patrolling in these areas have also been intensified. On October 17 the temple gates were opened for the first time after the Supreme Court order striking down the ban on entry of women between 10-50 years of age group.
Hundreds of women devotees of Lord Ayyappa, the eternally celibate deity of Sabarimala, stormed the road to the hill shrine and prevented women they suspected were of menstrual age from proceeding to the shrine some 20 km away. Violent protests broke out in the area in which several journalists, media persons were attacked too. Section 144 was imposed for five days. More than 3000 people were arrested and 543 cases were filed in connection with the protests last month.
On September 28, the Supreme Court revoked the restriction on the entry of women of menstruating age in Kerala’s Sabarimala temple. There has been an intensive protest against the Supreme Court verdict. However, the CPI (M)-led LDF government said that it would implement the Supreme Court judgement. Several women had tried to enter Sabarimala after the court verdict. However, they had to return after strong objection by the angry violent protestors.
Considering similar attempts can take place on November 5, Section 144 has been imposed in advance. Currently, a review petition on the earlier Supreme Court verdict is subjudice. The hearing of the review petition is scheduled for November 13.
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