Sabarimala standoff LIVE updates: Lord Ayyappa devotees protest outside woman devotee’s house

Two women devotees have been stopped by protesters at Appachimedu, two kilometres away from the Sabarimala temple. The Sabarimala foothills in Pamba on Sunday witnessed a high drama as hundreds of devotees blocked paths and chased away a group of 11 women of menstruating age being escorted to the hill shrine by the police.Though the police team tried to arrest and remove a few of the devotees who blocked the traditional forest path and take the women members of Chennai-based outfit ‘Manithi’, hundreds of pilgrims rushed down to the valley to chase them away.:

11:45 am IST

Eleven members of the Chennai-based "Manithi" wait at the foothills of the Lord Ayyappa Temple as devotees protested against their attempt to trek the shrine, at Pamba, in Pathanamthitta on December 23, 2018. (PTI Photo)

2 women devotees brought back to camp following protests

#Visuals Two women devotees are being brought back to Pampa base camp following protests. They were stopped by protesters at Appachimedu, two kilometres away from #SabarimalaTemple. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/PQEu94C2Ay— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2018

11:05 am IST

Lord Ayyappa devotees protest outside woman devotee’s house

Lord Ayyappa devotees hold protest in Perinthalmanna, Malappuram, outside the residence of Bindu, a woman devotee who began the trek to Sabarimala Temple today morning. She is being brought back to Pampa base camp now following protests against her entry to the temple.

10:55 am IST

Women devotees being brought back

The two women devotees are being brought back to Pampa base camp following protests. They had been stopped by protesters at Appachimedu, two kilometres away from the shrine, according to news agency ANI.

10:40 am IST

Bindu from Malappuram, Durga of Kozhikode on way to hilltop

“We are here to seek ‘darshan’ (offer prayers) of Lord Ayyappa. The Supreme Court order must be enforced and hope, police will provide us security,” Bindu told media while on the way to Sabarimala.

9:15 am IST

Police form security ring around the women devotees

As 2 women devotees, try to make their way out to enter Sabarimala temple, police form security ring around them so as to ensure security.

9:10 am IST

We will come back again: Manithi outfit

After being evicted from Pamba base camp on Sunday, Manithi outfit member Selvi said “Police succumbed to ruffians. We will approach the Supreme Court. State failed again. We will come back again.”

8:25 am IST

2 women devotees stopped at Appachimedu

Two women devotees, who were on their way to Sabarimala temple were stopped by protesters at Appachimedu, just two kilometers away from the Lord Ayyappa’s shrine in the wee hours of Monday.