The Hindu : Kerala News : Heavy rush continues in Sabarimala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 11, 2006
ePaper

Kerala

Kerala

Heavy rush continues in Sabarimala

Staff Reporter

DGP visits Pampa, action against two policemen

PATHANAMTHITTA: The rush of devotees for holy darshan at the Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala continued for the third consecutive day on Sunday.

The pilgrims helplessly waiting on the over-crowded traditional trekking for hours together was a common scene on Sunday too. The queue for darshan was extended beyond Sabaripeetom, two km away from the Sannidhanam.

The pilgrims' long wait in the packed barricades along the Marakkoottom-Saramkuthi- Sannidhanam path reportedly lasted for nine to 10 hours.

There were also allegations of certain short-tempered policemen harassing the pilgrims who were weary of their travails on the trekking path. Fleecing of pilgrims at various shops and eateries was another problem marring the pilgrimage in the last two days, making a mockery of the periodic inspections reportedly being made at these shops by the price-monitoring squads deployed by the district administration.

Sale of illicit products of mineral water and other beverages was reported from Sannidhanam, Pampa and along the trekking path.

Meanwhile, Director General of Police Raman Srivastava visited Pampa on Sunday to take stock of the situation.

The DGP directed the Police Special Officer at Sannidhanam to take disciplinary action against two policemen who allegedly misbehaved with an eight-member group of pilgrims from Mattancherry in Ernakulam on Sunday on the basis of the latter's complaint.

Mr. Srivastava told the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to strengthen the barricades, which became weak along the trekking path, and also to step up supply of medicated drinking water to the pilgrims waiting on the trekking path.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala