P Sathasivam summons CM Pinarayi Vijayan, voices concern over Sabarimala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor P Sathasivam, who summoned chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday against the backdrop of simmering tension at Sabarimala, expressed his displeasure over the treatment meted out to Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan at Pamba and Nilackal. He also urged the chief minister to urgently consider revoking Sec 144 imposed at key points at the hill shrine.
The governor is learnt to have told the chief minister that police officers should have been courteous while talking to a "senior person'' like Pon Radhakrishnan. The same officers would not have used the same tone while engaging a local politician, he reportedly pointed out.

The governor, sources said, has been "watching'' the Sabarimala situation over the last many weeks and hardships faced by the pilgrims were conveyed to the chief minister. The governor, who has received several formal complaints regarding restrictions to pilgrims, is learnt to have shared with the CM his concern over the fall in number of pilgrims to Sabarimala allegedly owing to restrictions.

"During the half-an-hour meeting which began at 12.30 pm, both the chief minister and the governor discussed the measures taken to address the complaints regarding lack of basic amenities like drinking water, toilets and restrooms at Nilackal, Pamba and on way to Sannidhanam. The need to improve transport facility between Nilackal and Pamba also was discussed,'' said a Raj Bhavan statement.