Pathanamthitta: A Sabarimala Karma Samithi activist, who was severely injured in protests in Pandalam against the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.

The protests had turned violent after CPM and BJP protesters fought in front of the CPM area committee office. Stones were pelted and Sabarimala Karma Samithi activist Chandran Unnithan (55) was injured.

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He was immediately taken to a private hospital in Pandalam and was later shifted to another hospital in Thiruvalla for better treatment but succumbed to his injuries. Several police officers were also injured in the protests.

It is alleged that Unnithan had undergone surgery for heart-related disease a year back. He was working as a salesman at a bakery food manufacturing company. Unnithan is survived by his wife Vijayamma, daughter Akhila and son-in-law Ayyappan.

Meanwhile, the family of Chandran alleged that he died due to the police’s negligence. They said that the police had not taken necessary precautions even though a clash was likely to occur in the place.

However, Pathanamthitta superintendent of police clarified that the BJP activists staged the protest in Pandalam by violating the ban imposed by the police. He also informed that direction was given to avoid a protest. The police have arrested two CPM activists.

A clash erupted between the BJP and the CPM workers in front of the state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram over the entry of two women of menstrual age into Sabarimala temple on Wednesday morning. Protesters also pelted stones, raised slogans and hurled abuses against each other.

Two women of menstruating age visited the Sabarimala temple on Wednesday. The two women were identified as Bindu from Kozhikode and Kanakadurga from Malappuram.

Earlier, on December 24, Bindu and Kanakadurga attempted to visit the shrine for the first time, but were taken back by the police due to security issues. Now, the duo said that they had their darshan of the Lord on Wednesday at 3.30 AM.