Sabarimala row: Kerala DGP talks tough, says no ‘forced hartal’
TNN | Updated: Jan 3, 2019, 07:26 IST
March by activists who support Sabarimala women’s entry in Kozhikode on WednesdayTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KOCHI/KOTTAYAM: State police chief Loknath Behera has directed all district police chiefs to ensure normal public life in the wake of hartal called by Sabarimala Karma Samithi and Ayyappa Karma Samithi on Thursday. The protesters who force closure of shops or indulge in violence will be arrested on the spot, the DGP said.
Legal action will be taken to levy compensation from those who vandalize public property. The loss will be compensated from their bank accounts or properties. If shops that open will be provided police cover. Security arrangements will be provided to prevent any untoward incidents.
Police shall facilitate the smooth conduct of service by KSRTC and private bus operators. Police picketing and patrolling will be ensured in places wherever necessary. All offices of political parties will be given adequate protection. Police chiefs have been directed to comply with the high court order which said that hartals shall not become forced shutdowns. Range IGs and zonal DGPs have been directed to keep vigil and take necessary steps.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Sabarimala Karma Samithi working president K P Sasikala said the dawn-to-dusk hartal will be the first phase of the second liberation struggle in the state, this time demanding the resignation of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
She alleged that the two women with Maoist links were taken to Sannidhanam with the help of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta police superintendents who are close to the chief minister. She also alleged that devaswom board member K P Shankar Das and his son Hari Sankar, who is the Kottayam SP, have cheated the people.
“The women were taken to Sannidhanam in an ambulance by spreading news that devotees injured in a wild boar attack were being taken to hospital. Instead of climbing the Pathinettam Padi, the police, in plainclothes, took the women through the jaggery godown,” Sasikala said.
She said the tanthri and head priest are not government employees and Karma Samithi will fight if they are harassed. She also said the Samithi won’t allow anyone to take the money dropped in the offering boxes in temples.
The BJP, which has also declared support for the hartal, has announced two-day protest across the state. BJP leaders said the protests will be peaceful.
Meanwhile, the UDF said they will observe a black day on Thursday.
Legal action will be taken to levy compensation from those who vandalize public property. The loss will be compensated from their bank accounts or properties. If shops that open will be provided police cover. Security arrangements will be provided to prevent any untoward incidents.
Police shall facilitate the smooth conduct of service by KSRTC and private bus operators. Police picketing and patrolling will be ensured in places wherever necessary. All offices of political parties will be given adequate protection. Police chiefs have been directed to comply with the high court order which said that hartals shall not become forced shutdowns. Range IGs and zonal DGPs have been directed to keep vigil and take necessary steps.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Sabarimala Karma Samithi working president K P Sasikala said the dawn-to-dusk hartal will be the first phase of the second liberation struggle in the state, this time demanding the resignation of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
She alleged that the two women with Maoist links were taken to Sannidhanam with the help of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta police superintendents who are close to the chief minister. She also alleged that devaswom board member K P Shankar Das and his son Hari Sankar, who is the Kottayam SP, have cheated the people.
“The women were taken to Sannidhanam in an ambulance by spreading news that devotees injured in a wild boar attack were being taken to hospital. Instead of climbing the Pathinettam Padi, the police, in plainclothes, took the women through the jaggery godown,” Sasikala said.
She said the tanthri and head priest are not government employees and Karma Samithi will fight if they are harassed. She also said the Samithi won’t allow anyone to take the money dropped in the offering boxes in temples.
The BJP, which has also declared support for the hartal, has announced two-day protest across the state. BJP leaders said the protests will be peaceful.
Meanwhile, the UDF said they will observe a black day on Thursday.
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