India
Kerala's director general of police (DGP) Loknath Behra demanded an explanation from two police officers regarding arrests of protesters in Sabarimala temple. The Kerala high court has also mocked the Pinarayi Vijayan government over police excesses in Sabarimala temple.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's director general of police (DGP) Loknath Behra has sought an explanation from police officers regarding the arrest of protesters at Sabarimala. The DGP issued the notice to inspector general (IG) Vijay Sakhare and superintendent of police at Sannidhanam Pratheesh Chandran.
The DGP has asked Pratheesh as to why the devotees were arrested on Sunday and he asked Vijay Sakahre about his absence at Sannidhanam during that time.
It has been estimated that a protest occurred because of a lapse on the part of the police.
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State-wide protests are being witnessed against the police action. Protesters pelted stones at Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses. BJP has decided to continue with their protests following the arrest of party's general secretary K Surendran.
The Kerala high court has also mocked the Pinarayi Vijayan government over police excesses in Sabarimala temple, saying policemen should be in the barracks and not attack pilgrims.
Meanwhile, Hindu Aikya Vedi chief Sasikala has reached the Lord Ayyappa temple. The leader, who is out on bail, was earlier arrested from near the temple over alleged attempts to foment trouble. She visited the shrine with her family members along with her grandsons. The Choroonu ceremony, where the baby is fed rice for the first time, was performed for Sasikala's grandsons.
Union minister KJ Alphons too visited the temple top on Monday. “Why do you need 15,000 policemen in Sabarimala? Devotees are not extremists. It is not democracy. The government considers devotees as sworn enemies and gave a free hand to control helpless pilgrims,” said Alphons.
Vijayan reacted claiming that the government is not against any devotee. He also said that only those women, who are willing to visit the shrine, are being escorted with security.
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