Kochi: The new initiative of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to live stream various events at Sabarimala through the website was stopped on Friday.
The facility was operationalised just three days ago. The state home department and security agencies raised objection to it citing security issues. In a letter to the director-general of police, the Sannidhanam Special Officer pointed out that national intelligence agencies had warned of a possible terror attack on the famous pilgrimage centre and the live streaming of various critical points in Sabarimala would only increase the security threat.
The Rapid Action Force, deployed in the temple premises during the two-month long pilgrimage season, also objected to the initiative of the TDB. The living streaming is done through the new website of the Ayyappa Temple by placing six CCTV cameras at the 18 holy steps, Sopanam, Malikapuram, Flyover and the two routes to Annadana Mandapam. The letter further pointed out that live streaming includes four places which were already notified as “high threat zones”. “The live streaming has been stopped for the moment as per the direction of the police. A final decision will be taken only after further discussion and assessing the threat scenario,” a TDB official said.
