PATHANAMTHITTA: Family of Chandran Unnithan, who died in stone pelting in Panthalam allege that he died due to lapse of police. They said that the police had not taken necessary precautions even though a clash was likely to occur. The family also alleged a conspiracy by CPM and police. However, Pathanamthitta SP clarified that BJP activists staged the protest in Panthalam by violating the ban imposed by police. He also informed that direction was given to avoid a protest.

55-year-old Chandran Unnithan sustained injuries on his head during the clash between BJP and CPM workers in Pandalam over the women's entry into Sabarimala temple on Wednesday.

Unnithan, who was allegedly injured in stone pelting, was rushed to a hospital but could not be saved. An investigation into the matter is underway.

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 group into Sabarimala temple on Wednesday morning. Protesters also pelted stones, raised slogans and hurled abuses against each other.

In the early hours on Wednesday, Bindu and Kanakadurga, who are in their 40s, had entered the hill shrine and offered prayers, following which the temple was shut for an hour for 'purification' rituals.

The Supreme Court lifted the traditional ban on the entry of women of menstrual age (10-50 years) on September 28 last year. Since then, a string of protests have taken place at the Sabarimala temple and its surrounding areas, wherein several women attempted to visit the shrine but were stopped by Lord Ayyappa devotees. The police have arrested two CPM members Kannan and Aju in connection with the death.

Unnithan is survived by his wife Vijayamma, daughter Akhila and son-in law Ayyappan.