The Hindu : Front Page : No special queue for VIPs at Sabarimala: High Court

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Tuesday, Dec 20, 2005

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No special queue for VIPs at Sabarimala: High Court

Staff Reporter

Asks police to ensure proper security at the holly hillock

KOCHI: A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Monday directed the Executive Officer, Sabarimala, to see that there would not be any special queue for the VIPs to have `dharshan' of Lord Ayyappa in front of the sanctum sanctorum.

The Bench comprising Justice R. Bhaskaran and Justice M. Sasidharan Nambair issued the directive on a report filed by the Special Commissioner for Sabarimala. According to him, the pilgrims standing in the regular queue faced lot of difficulties because of the special queue. They could not have a `dharshan' of Lord Ayyappa, as their vision was blocked by the people standing in the special queue inside the cabin in front of the sanctum sanctorum. This was a very serious issue, which should be solved without any delay. Though there was a directive for doing away with the special queue, this had not been complied with in letter and spirit, the Special Commissioner said.

The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) undertook that the special queue would be stopped immediately.

The court also ordered that `Prasadam' could be given only after the pooja was over and should be distributed only from the office. The executive officer should see that `Prasadam' was not distributed immediately after the pooja.

This would also help devotees have `dharshan' without any hindrance.

The Bench directed the Special Officer in charge of the security arrangements to take appropriate steps at Sabarimala. The Special Commissioner had reported that the security arrangements were inadequate and that the possibility of untoward incidents at Sabarimala could not be ruled out. The court directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to see that necessary instructions were given to the Special Police Officer on duty at Sannidhanam.

The Judge ordered that the police take steps to prevent the unauthorised business along the trekking path from Pampa to Sannidhanam by women in the age group of 15 to 35.

The Bench directed the Pathanamthitta District Collector to ensure that the cleaning up of the areas was done on regular basis without any room for complaints.

It also directed the Executive Officer to ensure that the bananas were used for the preparation of `Appam' as per the ratio fixed by the High Court.

The Special Commissioner wanted strict compliance with the instructions for keeping the gas cylinders in the special room by the shop owners for avoiding any fire accidents.

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