Sabarimala: Section 144 imposed; Kerala prepares for reopening on Nov 5

With the Sabarimala temple in Kerala set to reopen on November 5, the Pathanamthitta district collector in Kerala has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in Sabarimala and nearby areas ahead of the Chithira Avittom Pooja. The hill shrine in Sabarimala will be open for devotees on November 5 and 6. Prohibitory orders will be in place from Saturday midnight till Tuesday midnight.

District collector PB Nooh said, "Section 144 has been imposed to maintain law order in Sabarimala and nearby areas. However, this will not affect normal pilgrimage. It's only that unlawful assembly by non-devotees will not be allowed. Prohibitory orders will come into effect from Saturday midnight at Nilakkal, Elavunkal, Pamba and Sannidhanam."

Heavy security cover is being deployed after violent protests broke out against the entry of women between the age group of 10-50 following a Supreme Court order.

Women devotees and journalists approaching the hill shrine were attacked by right-wing activists on October 17, the day its gates were opened for the first time after the Supreme Court junked an age-old ban on women between the ages of 10 and 50 entering its premises.

Several women attempted to enter its sanctum sanctorum in the days that followed, but were forced to turn back upon being confronted by violent protesters. Following that, the district administration imposed restrictions on the four areas through October 18 to 22.

The government, for its part, maintained that it will continue to honour the Supreme Court verdict by allowing women to visit the shrine. "The Sangh Parivar is responsible for this violence... It is trying every dirty trick in its kitty to gain a foothold in Kerala," Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said recently.