IG Sreejith to guard Sannidhanam and Pamba from Dec 14

Thiruvananthapuram: Inspector general S Sreejith has been put in charge of the security arrangements at Pamba and the Sannidhanam as the police rearranged the force deployed at Sabarimala for a second time in a month. Intelligence DIG S Surendran will man the areas including Nilakkal, Vadasserikkara and Erumely.

Kozhikode rural deputy commissioner of police G Jaydev IPS and crime branch superintendent of police P B Rajeev will act as police controllers at the Sannidhanam, while Pamba will be monitored by Karthikeyan Gokulchandran IPS and crime branch Superintendent of Police Shaji Sugathan. Ernakulam rural police superintendent of police Rahul R Nair, crime branch Superintendent of Police R Mahesh will be assigned to Nilakkal and Superintendent of Police Reji Jacob and Superintendent of Police Jayanath IPS to Erumely.

The police had planned the security arrangements at Sabarimala in four stages, starting November 15. As much as 3,450 policemen were deployed in the first stage up to November 30. As many as 3,400 cops will be on duty in the second stage up to December 14.

In the third stage from December 14 to December 29, as many as 4,026 cops will be on duty at the pilgrim centre, including 230 women cops. On duty will be 389 IPS officers, 90 circle inspectors and 29 deputy superintendents of police. As many as 4,383 cops will be on duty in the fourth stage from December 29 to January 16, including 230 women cops.

IG Sreejith to guard Sannidhanam and Pamba from Dec 14 — Several people were arrested for violating prohibitory orders at Sabarimala.

There will be 400 sub inspectors, 95 circle inspectors, 34 deputy superintendents of police.

As many as 15,259 policemen have been deployed to guard the hill shrine and surroundings during the annual season.

Sabarimala temple and nearby areas had witnessed unprecedented violent incidents after the LDF government decided to implement the Supreme Court order, permitting women of all age groups to enter the hill shrine. The police had then set up a special security arrangement in the temple town.

IG Sreejith had faced much flak for giving protection to two women, including activist Rehana Fathima, on their way to the hill shrine. They had to return after frenzied protests at the shrine.