The State government on Friday informed the High Court that the orders issued by the Kottayam and Pathanamthitta district collectors under Section 144 of the Cr.PC prohibited only marches, unlawful assemblies and group prayers in the form of protests. It did not in prohibit darshan of devotees arriving either individually or in groups.
The Advocate General made the submissions when two writ petitions challenging the validity of the prohibitory orders came up for hearing. He further submitted that the order only intended to prohibit protest by way of chanting Sarana mantras by persons who assembled with intention to create a law and order situation in front of the shrine. The police had neither taken nor would take action against devotees for chanting of Sarana mantra.
Intelligence inputs
He added that orders had to be issued in the wake of massive protests by some organisations during the Thula Masa Puja and Chithira Atta Vishesham at Sabarimala and based on intelligence inputs that they would continue their illegal activities during the season.