The Hindu : Kerala News : A helping hand for Sabarimala pilgrims

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 10, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala

A helping hand for Sabarimala pilgrims

LAW &ORDER Besides helping the pilgrims, the police are on the look out for attempts to disrupt communal harmony, writes Anand Haridas

Its busy time for the police and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel with yet another Makaravilakku season at Sabarimala.

The city has started experiencing a heavy inflow of pilgrims from neighbouring States.

Both the forces have stepped up their presence and are maintaining round-the-clock vigilance. So far, the season has been incident-free.

"Special force has been deployed at both the railway stations and KSRTC bus stand. The presence of shadow police and women police personnel has also been stepped up," said P.H. Ashraf, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ernakulam.

Besides helping the pilgrims to reach the destination, the police are also on the look out for any attempt to disrupt communal harmony.

The police dog squad is being brought in to prevent sabotage attempts and ensure safety of pilgrims.

Highway patrols have been intensified.

The Railway Protection Force has deployed more than 60 personnel at the Ernakulam South, North and Aluva railway stations.

"Surveillance cameras are constantly monitoring the platforms at these stations. More plainclothesmen are also patrolling the area," said T.S. Gopakumar, Circle Inspector, RPF.

Pilgrims, mostly from Andhra Pradesh, get down at Ernakulam on their way to Sabarimala.

Special Force of the RPF, which is the armed wing of the force, has also been put on service for the season.

The RPF has also stepped up the drive against illegal canvassing of passengers from the railway station premises.

Only KSRTC buses are allowed to operate from the station premises.

The KSRTC is also allowed to make announcements about the bus timings through the public address system.

Cases registered

The force has registered around 30 cases on illegal canvassing of passengers. Also, the drive against unauthorised autorickshaws operating from railway station premises has also been increased.

Two men are posted at the entrance of the railway stations to prevent autorickshaws from going in without passengers.

The forces will maintain high vigil till the Sabarimala season ends.

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