Kerala Bandh LIVE: CM Vijayan accuses BJP, RSS of turning state into war-zone
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 3: Violent protests reported across Kerala as a shutdown began on Thursday, day after two women under the age of 50 managed to enter the Sabarimala temple.
Hindutva outfits under the umbrella Sabarimala Action Council have called for a statewide shutdown on Thursday. This is the the seventh shutdown called by right-wing groups in just three months over the Sabarimala issue.
Two women of menstruating age group, cloaked in black veils, created history on Wednesday as they stepped into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, breaking a centuries-old tradition defying dire threats from the Hindu right.
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"7 police vehicles, 79 KSRTC buses destroyed & 39 police personnel attacked, till now. Most of the persons attacked were women. Women media persons were also attacked," the CM says.
It's government's responsibility to give protection to women. The government has fulfilled this constitutional responsibility. Sangh Parivar is trying to make Sabarimala into a clash zone, says CM Vijayan.
Kerala govt is taking measures everyday to send someone there to disturb its rituals. It's festival time when per day 1-2 lakh ppl used to come to temple but due to govt action, it has reduced to 10-15,000, alleges PGS Varma,member of royal Pandalam family.
Supreme Court refuses to give an urgent hearing to a mentioning by lawyer, PV Dinesh, seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the Sabarimala Temple priest for purification of temple premises after entry of 2 women yesterday. SC said the matter has been fixed for Jan 22.
Two people have been arrested & two detained for attacking a Special Branch Women Police personnel on duty in rural area of Ernakulam district last night.
BJP holds protest march in Kochi against the entry of women in Sabarimala Temple.
Kerala: Ambulances being used to help stranded passengers at Thiruvananthapuram Central as bus services are affected in the area due to the hartal called by various organisations over #SabarimalaTemple women entry. pic.twitter.com/tURDZgevh5
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2019
Ambulances being used to help stranded passengers at Thiruvananthapuram.
Homes of five CPM party leaders in Kerala have been attacked and ransacked.
Jet Airways issues a notice to warn its passengers of possible transportation issues in face of the ongoing protests in Kerala.
"We will carry on with our agitation in a peaceful manner and abide by the law of the land," says BJP Kerala president PS Sreedharan Pillai on protests.
Two CPM workers from Pandalam, allegedly involved in the death of BJP worker Chandran Unnithan, have been taken into police custody today.
Security has been deployed in Pathanamthitta in the view of hartal called by Hindu outfits.
Police has beefed up security in Kerala and state police chief Loknath Behera has warned protesters of severe action in case of violence and obstruction of traffic.
United Democratic Front will observe ‘black day’ in the state today as two women under 50 years of age entered the Sabarimala temple Wednesday. Here are visuals from Thiruvananthapuram.
57 buses have been destroyed. Many CPM and BJP offices attacked. Widespread violence reported from many areas of the state.
A native of Pandalam Chandran Unnithan (55) died in stone pelting. BJP said CPM workers were behind the attack.
An activist of Sabarimala Karma Samiti who was injured during stone pelting succumbed to his injuries in the early hours on Thursday, said police.
Shutdown has begun in Kerala. Security has been beefed up after intelligence report of violence.