Heavy rush in Sabarimala, police cane Ayyappa devotees including children

SABARIMALA: Police cane Ayyappa devotees standing in queues for more than 10-14 hours in the name of controlling rush. It has been criticised that they were caned using their batons. Protests against the police officials belonging to the third batch on duty in Sabarimala has been intensified.

The cops’ heinous act was witnessed at places in Marakoottam and Saramkuthy which was not getting much media attention. The devotees reaching there after taking Vratham stand in queues for hours and at times try to go out of the queue for basic necessities. Such people are subjected to caning. No one is spared from the act.

Very often, police action leads to major conflicts. Last two batch of police officers who arrived for Sabarimala duty had done a commendable job in arranging facilities for the devotees. Complaints have been lodged against police officers who were on duty for the third time.

Five days after Saturday's traffic jam, police were able to find a solution but today's restrictions may result in a traffic congestion. It takes about eight to 12 hours to reach destination where only one and a half hours are needed. With the KSRTC buses not reaching Pampa, the crisis is getting worse in every hour. The KSRTC is not operating services for the devotees reaching Pampa after darshan.

The situation aggravated after police stalled transportation of buses from Nilakkal to Pampa. Devotees are stranded in many parts without getting food and water. Many shops are found closed due to the non- availability of essential goods.