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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, November 20, 2002: Elaborate facilities have been arranged at the police camps for police personnel who wish to go on pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Unlike in the West, where police guards would stay aloof from a religious ceremony, in India it is common for the police on duty to participate in the worship as much as they can, within bounds of their responsibility. Separate space has been designated for those observing the customary fast to perform rituals connected with the pilgrimage. A separate vegetarian dining area has also been set up in the camps for the pilgrims. The policemen going to Sabarimala would be given preference during the deployment of security personnel at Pampa and Sannidhanam. However, the request for deployment would be considered purely on the basis of the requirement of police personnel at these places. Policemen who wish to go to Sabarimala must seek permission from their respective unit chiefs for growing beards and have been asked also to specify the date and season of their pilgrimage. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has issued a statement asking that the policemen posted at Sabarimala be exempt from wearing uniforms. However, senior police officers said that as per standing orders and existing practice, only police personnel deployed near the temple precincts were exempted from wearing shoes, belts and caps.

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