Thiruvananthapuram: The police has made elaborate security arrangements in Sabarimala on the eve of Chithira Ata Visheshal puja under the direct supervision of two ADGP level officers.
The Sabarimala temple opens at 5 pm on Monday.
ADGP south zone Anil Kant will be the chief coordinator of the security arrangements and ADGP headquarters S. Anandakrishnan, the joint coordinator, an official release from the police department said here on Saturday.
The security arrangements at Sannidhanam and Marakkoottam would be under the direct control of Thrissur IG M. R. Ajith Kumar. Pamba and Nilakkal will be under the supervision of Intelligence IG Ashok Yadav.
Both the officers would be fully responsible for maintaining law and order at these places which had witnessed violent incidents during Thula masa puja.
The release said ten superintendents of police (SP) and as many DySPs had been deployed for Sabarimala.
Commando groups comprising 20 members each will be stationed in Sannidhanam, Nilakkal and Pamba.
In all, more than 2300 police personnel including 100 women officers will be on security duty at the hill shrine and base camps this time.
Prohibitory orders will be clamped at Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal and Elavunkal from Saturday midnight to Tuesday (November 6) midnight.
Pathanamthitta district collector issued the orders based on the ground report and requirement of police.
The police also imposed curbs on the media. Sources said reporters would not be permitted to travel beyond Nilakkal. Violent groups had targeted journalists including women at Nilakkal and Pamba last month.
With various outfits including BJP-RSS, Ayyappa Dharma Sena and Sabarimala Karama Samathi threatening to organise direct action to prevent women from the restricted age group from entering the temple, the cops are not taking any chances.
They warned them of stern action. Many of their leaders are under surveillance and if required, could be kept under detention to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, the arrests in connection with the violence at Nilakkal and Pamba have reached 3,719 in 546 cases. Most cases pertained to attempt to incite violence, violating the prohibitory orders, destruction of public property, attack on police personnel and preventing officials from discharging their duties. The high court had earlier directed the government to produce the video footage of violent incidents that rocked Nilakkal and Pamba. The government informed the court that it had requested news channels which covered the events to share footage.
