Pathanamthitta, December 24: The protest in the holy town continues as two women were restricted to enter the hilltop shrine and were forced to return from base camp Pamba on Monday. The incident took place a day after 11 women were not allowed to enter Sabarimala temple despite on Sunday, despite the fact that security personnel escorted them.

According to the report, on Monday two women in an attempt to enter the Sabarimala temple and get a glimpse of Lord Ayyappa started their trek to the hilltop shrine. But they had to escort back to the base camp in Pamba, as the protesters blocked them at Appachimedu, two kilometres away from the temple. 11 Tamil Women Devotees Fail to Have Sabarimala Darshan; Protesters in Custody, BJP Demands Probe.

Local channels reported that more policemen had been deployed by state and district administration to ensure safety for the women devotees trying to seek the blessings of Lord Ayyappa. On Sunday, a group of around 11 women had to abort their trek to the holy shrine after protesters didn’t allow them to climb up, despite police protection. Even then the priest threatened to close the doors of the temple if women try to enter the temple.

It is to be known that almost 40 women devotees are expecting to arrive in the temple town and most likely to try to climb up the hill to get the glimpse and blessing of the lord. The Supreme Court in order on September had mentioned that women should be allowed to enter the temple and state to fulfil the order. When challenged by the right-wing groups, SC quashed the appeal and said that it would hear the matter in January, next year.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2018 11:26 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).