PAMPA: The arrival of Chennai based women collective ‘Maniti’ created a day long tension at Sabarimala.

Timeline of key happenings:

Saturday 9 p.m.: The police confirmed that a team of 19 women under ‘Manithi’ have set off to Sabarimala from Chennai and Madurai.

9.30 p.m.: News spread that ‘Manithi Sangham’ will reach Kottayam Railway station. BJP and Sabarimala Karma Samithi activists gathered at Kottayam and Chengannur Railway stations.

10.00 p.m.: Police force was strengthened in Kottayam, Chengannur, Pampa and Nilakkal.

11.00 p.m.: Rumours spread that ‘Manithi Sangham’ have changed their route and will reach Nilakkal via Kumily-Aryankav-Nagercoil. Police patrol in the said route.

11.30 p.m.: Police arrests BJP activists that blocked the vehicle of ‘Manithi Sangham’ at Kattappana.

Sunday 3 a.m.: ‘Manithi Sangham’ reached Pampa from Kumily via Kanamala with police escort. They take rest at Triveni Police Control room.

4.45 a.m.: To Pampa Ganapathi temple with police escort. Took receipt at Devaswom Board office to fill six ‘Irumudikettu’. A priest seeks the permission of chief priest. Women fill Irumudikkettu by themselves.

5.15 a.m.: Women move towards Panthalam Rajamandapam. Protestors throng along with namajapa protest. Police protected the women by forming a circle around them. All 11 members of ‘Manithi Sangham’ sat on the floor as protestors increased in number.

7.30 a.m.: Selvi, co-ordinator of ‘Manithi Sangham’ was taken to Police Guard room and asked to review the decision to trek Sabarimala. She stood firm on her decision to visit the shrine. Other members of the team also reached guard room.

11.00 a.m.: Protestors started to disperse as police repeatedly asked them to leave through megaphone.

11.15 a.m.: Police used force on protestors who stood their ground after repeated warnings.

11.30 a.m.: Another team of police started trekking Neelimala. Protestors there managed to break police circle that secured the women. Women and cops that escorted them had to flee towards guard room.

12.30p.m.: ‘Manithi Sangham’ discarded their plan to trek Sabarimala. They were taken to Nilakkal from Police Control room.