Sabarimala row: Sangh Parivar tried to create problems at Sannidhanam, says Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 20: Tensions are high in Kerala as entry of women devotees inside famed Lord Ayyappa's Sabarimala temple continue to remain at the centre of massive protests.

Addressing a press conference, Pinarayi Vijayan said,''Sangh Parivar tried to create problems at Sannidhanam, stopped women from entering although they were beyond the age of 50.''

"BJP leaders and ministers are queuing up before Sabarimala to exploit the issue. The government will not allow anyone to fan trouble in Sabarimala," he said.

The chief minister justified the action taken by the police on Sunday against protesting devotees, saying their intervention helped ease the situation at the shrine to Lord Ayyappa. The present security arrangements at the hilltop shrine will continue to check troublemakers, he added.

Sabarimala has turned into a war zone after BJP-Sangh outfits raised resistance against Pinarayi government over allowing women of all age group entry to the temple ordered by Supreme Court.

On Monday, at least 69 people were arrested by the police after Sunday's nigh crackdown for violating Section 144 in temple vicinity even as the BJP and Congress warned the LDF government against initiating actions against the genuine devotees. All the arrested persons were remanded 14 days of judicial custody by a local court and kept at the Maniar Police Camp in Pathanamthitta.