The State government has put in place high-security measures in Sabarimala. It has deployed more than 2,300 police officers to prevent recurrence of the violence unleashed by Hindu right-wing outfits in October in a bid to prevent women of childbearing age from entering the Ayyappa temple.
The temple is scheduled to open on Monday evening. It will close at 10 p.m. on Tuesday. The police will allow pilgrims to Sabarimala from Monday afternoon after thorough checks at the Nilackal base camp.
The district magistrate, Pathanamthitta, has clamped prohibitory orders at Vadasserikara, Elumvakal, Nilackal, Pampa and Sannidhanam. The localities were marshalling points for protesters in October.
The government has declared the localities “high-security zones.”
A senior officer said Intelligence reports suggested that fringe elements might throw down the gauntlet to anti-riot police officers to stage a token protest against the government, which was committed to implementing the Supreme Court order allowing all women into Sabarimala.
Women officers
He said it was likely that the Sangh Parivar might pit women members of various prayer groups against the police. The police have deployed a platoon of women officers above the age of 50 at the sanctum to remove women protesters in the event of a law-and-order situation.
The police said the Sangh Parivar, which have spearheaded the ‘Save Sabarimala’ campaign since October, have summoned their most dedicated foot soldiers to Sabarimala in the guise of pilgrims. They said the elements would resort to direct action and attempt to force the hand of the police if woman pilgrims arrived at Sabarimala.
Cybercrime investigators were scouring social media accounts and monitoring Whatsapp comments to forecast possible threats to public peace at Sabarimala.