The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Police watchtowers in Sabarimala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 04, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Police watchtowers in Sabarimala

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: The State police will set up watchtowers and video surveillance for crowd control and crime prevention at Sabarimala this year.

More than one crore believers from across the country are expected to visit the hill shrine during the annual pilgrim season that began on November 14.

Inspector-General of Police, South Zone, T. P. Senkumar said that policemen from other States would be deployed as "spotters" to help the State police identify troublemakers and criminal elements. The Sabarimala area has been divided into five sectors for enforcing the ban on begging. Women traders would not be allowed beyond Pampa. Nearly 2,800 policemen would be deployed for duty at the Sannidhanam and Pampa during the peak season.

Pilgrims would have to pass through doorframe-fitted metal detectors prior to entering the Sannidhanam area. Arrangements have been made to park at least 10,000 large and medium vehicles in the land owned by the State Farming Development Corporation at Nilackal. Up to 5,000 light motor vehicles could be parked in Pampa, the Hill Top and the Triveni area, he said.

The police have taken special anti-sabotage measures in view of the anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6. Mr. Senkumar said special protection would be given to Tamil Nadu buses.

Police pickets would be posted in communally sensitive areas on the Sabarimala route, he added.

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