PATHANAMTHITTA: A policeman collapsed and died at Sannidahan on Saturday hours before Sabarimala temple doors opened for Mandalam season. The dead has been identified as Kozhikode native Biju; he was on duty when he breathed his last.

Biju was deployed as a security personnel at Sannidhanam; he was attached to Malappuram MSP camp. The Sabarimala temple opened at 5 pm on Saturday for the Mandalam pilgrimage season. The police have started allowing devotees arriving at Pamba and Nilakkal to climb up the path to Sannidhanam.