KL-SABARIMALA-GOVERNOR

Kerala Chief Minister

Pinarayi Vijayan Thursday briefed Governor P Sathasivam on the

incidents of violence in the state following entry of two

young women into the Sabarimala temple on January 2.

The Governor had on January 3 sought an "urgent report"

from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the disturbances

during the 12-hour state-wide shutdown called by Hindu fringe

groups and supported by the BJP.

Earlier, Sathasivam had apprised Union Home Minister

Rajnath Singh of the law and order situation in Kerala.

"The Chief Minister described the nature of the agitation

and the action taken to curb the violent protests in different

parts of the State," a release from Raj Bhavan said Thursday.

He has assured the Governor that stringent action would

be initiated against those involved in the violent incidents,

irrespective of party affiliation, it added.

Violence involving BJP-RSS and ruling CPI(M) rocked parts

of Kerala, particularly Kannur district, during the January 3

hartal with several houses and shops of rival leaders and

workers being attacked over the Sabarimala issue.

Two women, Kanakadurga (44) and Bindu (42), entered the

shrine and offered prayers on Wednesday, breaking a

centuries-old tradition.

Following this, the thanthri, Kandaru Rajeevaru, closed

the sanctum sanctorum to perform the 'purification' ceremony.

According to police, 1,286 cases were registered till

January 5 and 3,282 people were arrested in connection with

the violent incidents since the January 3 hartal called

against the entry of two women into the hill temple.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)