Outfits observe bandh over Sabarimala; commuters hit

Thiruvananthapuram, October 18 

The shutdown called by Hindu outfits in Kerala over Sabarimala issue evoked a good response with buses keeping off roads and shops remaining hut on Thursday.

Barring a few minor incidents of violence in which some Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses were pelted with stones, the day-long shutdown passed off peacefully, police said. The KSRTC operated services in the morning in some routes.

Shutdown supporters blocked roads and forced shops to be closed in some places, the police said. Private vehicles were seen plying in some parts of the state.

However, there was no major disruption to normal life as Thursday was a public holiday on account of “Mahanavami”. The strike was called by Sabarimala Samarakashna Samithi, an outfit of Lord Ayyappa devotees, to protest the state government’s decision to implement the Supreme Court order allowing women of all age groups to enter the hill temple and the ‘police lathicharge’ at Nilackal, 

the base camp, Wednesday. The BJP and its NDA partners had extended their support to the protest call.  — PTI

Woman journalist forced to return

Pamba (Kerala): A Delhi-based woman journalist of a foreign media outlet who trekked the Sabarimala hill was on Thursday stopped midway by Lord Ayyappa devotees opposing the entry of women of menstrual age into the hill shrine. The journalist accompanied by her male colleague, a foreigner, descended the hills from Marakkoottam area in the face of mounting protest by the Ayyappa devotees.