Police stop Pon Radhakrishnan’s convoy at Pamba; tender apology

Pamba: One of the cars in the convoy of Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan was stopped by the Kerala Police at Pamba in the wee hours of Thursday, suspecting it to be a vehicle of the protestors.

The police found themselves in a spot when they realized that the car was part of the Union Minister’s convoy. SP Harishankar then gave a written apology.

The incident happened near the KSRTC bus stand around 1 am.

The Minister’s journey was delayed by thrity minutes. He was on his way back after conducting darshan at Sabarimala when the cops blocked his vehicles.

The late-night incident comes hours after the Minister got into an altercation with the Superintendent of the police Yatish Chandra at Nilakkal, the base camp of Sabarimala.

When the Minister wanted to know why private vehicles of devotees were not being allowed to Pamba from Nilackal, while Kerala state Transport Corporation buses were plying, the officer explained that the facilities at Pamba were meagre post deluge.

The senior police official explained to the union Minister about the features of Pamba, an environmental fragile area. He said if the union Minister gives him in writing to allow private vehicles to Pamba, he was prepared to allow all vehicles.

The union minister, who offered prayers at the hill shrine Wednesday evening carrying his Irrumudikettu (holy bundle with offerings) was displeased with the manner in which the SP had behaved with him.

He also slammed the CPM-led LDF government on the Sabarimala issue, Radhakrishnan said its 'master plan' was to 'harass' the devotees and not allow them to go to the Ayyappa temple.

The minister declined to answer a question on the September 28 Supreme court verdict allowing women of all ages to offer worship at the shrine, saying "I do not want to go into that.. My concern is with devotees. Do not harass the devotees."

The Sabarimala temple was opened on November 16 for over two-month pilgrimage season amid tension.