The two-month-long festival in Kerala's famed Sabarimala temple will begin on Sunday. And with the Supreme Court all set to pronounce its verdict on the review petitions challenging the entry of all women to the temple, on Thursday, the state police have made elaborate security arrangements around the temple premises.
The fresh season in Sabarimala will begin on November 17 and ends on January 21.
Kerala police do not want to take any chances this time, particularly in the wake of the large scale protest and violence that occurred last year following the apex court verdict allowing all women to enter the temple. Right-wing groups had assaulted and chased women, preventing them from entering into the temple.
The top court is now expected to give its final verdict after 64 review petitions were filed asking it to uphold the traditions and culture of the temple.
Police have classified the two-month-long season into four segments with the first two weeks starting from November 15 to November 29 and in all 2,551 police personnel would be posted in and around the temple complex.
The second phase would see 2,539 personnel on duty from November 30 to December 14, and the third segment, beginning December 15 to 29, would see 2,992 officials on duty.
The fourth and the most important period begins from December 30 till the temple is closed on January 21, which would see 3,077 personnel trying their best to see that the verdict is adhered to in letter and spirit.
The entire security arrangements are led by the Additional Director General of Police, Sheikh Darwesh Sahib.
The duty roster will see 24 Superintendent of Police (SPs) and Assistant SPs, 112 Deputy SPs, 264 Inspectors, 1185 Sub-Inspectors and Assistant SIs, 8,402 civil police officials manning the security arrangements.
The list also includes 307 women personnel including 30 women inspectors and SIs.