Sabarimala, Nov 19 (UNI) A 'warlike' situation is being created here by Kerala Police who deny peoples' democratic rights like in Communist China and Russia, Union Minister of State for Tourism Alphons Kannamthanam alleged here on Monday.
The Union Minister, who reached here to assess arrangements for the pilgrimage at Lord Ayyappa temple, reacted emotionally after seeing the current situation at Nilakkal and Pamba.
Expressing anxiety over the presence of large number of police personnel, the Union Minister said a 'warlike' situation prevails at the famous pilgrim centre.
"Why the police arrest people for chanting devotionally. Ayyappa devotess are not terrorists. Kerala is not a Communist China or Russia to deny the democratic rights of the people, and the Police created an emergency like situation," he added.
He also expressed 'unhappiness' over lack of facilities existing at Nilakkal and Pamba as thousands of people face difficulties due to shortage of drinking water, food and toilet facilities.
It is visible that the State Government had failed to spend hundreds of crores of Central funds allocated to them for improving infrastructure and other basic facilities.
The people also should come forward to find out solutions to such issues, he felt.
To a question, the Minister said he was here to see the ground reality as a Central Minister and was not knowing of BJP's plan to stage agitation against the current issues.
The Minister who reached Nilakkal at 0900 hrs will proceed to Sannidanam, the abode of Lord Ayyappa temple, after a small halt at Pamba.
The Union Minister's visit was in the wake of several arrests of devotees and Sangh Parivar leaders after the opening of the temple for the annual pilgrimage.
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