Unprecedented rush of Ayyappa pilgrims at Sabarimala

The Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala is witnessing an unprecedented rush and devotees have to wait in queue for 18 hours for darshan, State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told the state assembly today.

Police caned a group of devotees at 'Sannidhanam' yesterday as some of them jumped the queue and had police not acted, the situation would have resulted in a stampede, Chennithala said replying to Kodiyeri Balakrishnan (CPI-M) who raised the issue.

However, he said police personnel involved in the incident has been called back from Sabarimala.

In view of the heavy rush expected in the coming days before the 'Makaravillaku' festival, he said One Additional Director General of Police and two Inspectors General of Police would be on duty at Sabarimala for crowd control and monitor security arrangements.Makaravillaku festival falls on January 14.