Eight BJP workers including state secretary VK Sajeevan was taken into custody at Nilakkal for defying police orders at Sabarimala on Sunday. According to reports, the police officers had asked the BJP leaders to give in writing that they were visiting the temple only as devotees. As the leaders failed to comply, the police were forced to take them into custody. The arrested have been shifted to Perinad police camp, according to Manorama reports.
On Sunday, BJP General Secretary K Surendran, who was arrested from Pamba earlier this month has been shifted to Kannur from the Kottarakara sub jail where he was earlier lodged. The shift to Kannur happened as a production warrant was issued against the leader for threatening police officers during a march to the SP office over the Sabarimala verdict earlier.
A minor unrest by BJP worker was witnessed at the front of Kottarakara sub jail when Surendran was being taken out of the prison.
On Saturday, over 60 pilgrims were detained by the police for breaching he security line near the Varuvanadu area in Sabarimala and chanting Nama Japa prayers. The protestors were let off on bail later.
In a press meet on Saturday, CM Pinarayi Viajayan confirmed that the government had taken down several restrictions at the temple as per the instructions of the Kerala High Court. However, action would be taken against those who stirred unrest at the temple, without hindering the pilgrimage of true devotees.
The HC has said that true devotees who come to pray at the temple should be allowed to visit in groups or individually. Their vehicle movements should not be hindered. At the same time, action taken against those stirring unrest at the temple should not affect devotees. This is what the government is doing,” he said.
The CM also backed SP Yathish Chandra who had a minor scuffle with Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan during the minister’s visit earlier this week.
Stating that the officer was merely doing his duty, the CM said, ”The Union Minister is a VVIP and will be facilitated to go to Pamba in his vehicle. He took a stance demanding that others in his group, too, be allowed in their private vehicles. The police had to take an opposing stance, and this was conveyed to the minister with all due respect and acknowledgement of his status as a minister.”