KOCHI: The Kerala high court on Monday came down heavily on police excesses at Sabarimala , pointing out that in the name of implementing the Supreme Court verdict on women's entry police cannot harass ordinary pilgrims and deny them their rights.A division bench comprising justices PR Ramachandra Menon and N Anil Kumar slammed the police for pumping water in nadappanthal (the massive covered hall just outside the shrine where pilgrims rest) and other places to prevent devotees from assembling there, and said that police "should normally be confined to their barracks instead of trespassing into spaces reserved for pilgrims". The bench was considering a petition on 'atrocities' against devotees.Ever since the hill-top temple opened for the annual two-month festival on November 16, there have been widespread complaints that restrictions related to movement and to conduct of certain rituals were causing huge inconvenience to pilgrims. Late on Sunday night, there were impromptu protests by around 200 devotees at sannidhanam for being asked to vacate the area and go back all the way to Pamba as soon as the temple closed, which would have prevented them from doing the neyyabhishekam (crucial ritual involving ghee offerings). The court said no devotee who has purchased tickets for neyyabhishekam should be driven away from Sannidhanam without being able to conduct the ritual. People from far-off places visit Sabarimala and they cannot be prevented from using nadappanthal, the court said. It said restrictions put in place by police at Sabarimala had created a situation where pilgrims are "unable to get food, water, or transportation" between Nilakkal and Pamba.KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran urged the state government to withdraw "unnecessary restrictions and control by police" at Sabarimala in the wake of "severe criticism' from the high court. "I hope the remarks of the high court will be an eyeopener for the government. The court demanded an explanation from the attorney general considering the seriousness of the issue," he said.The HC bench warned that it would consider impleading the central government if police failed in its duty. The court also directed the state police chief to file an affidavit enumerating restrictions imposed by police, the reasons for such restrictions, and the orders issued by the police chief for putting such restrictions in place. If any restriction is found to be harsh and unreasonable, the court will intervene, the bench warned.When the case was taken up in the morning session, the court asked the advocate general to be present in the afternoon session. Advocate general CP Sudhakara Prasad submitted in the post-lunch session of the court that that proper arrangements have been made for pilgrims to take rest at Sannidhanam and in and around Annadanam Mandapam, Makunda Ayyappa Madom and opposite to Maramath Complex. There are facilities for laying 'viri' (bedspreads), water, electricity, washrooms, and toilets, the court was told.Producing a copy of a circular allegedly issued by BJP for deputing leaders to mobilize its cadres to Sabarimala, the advocate general argued that there was a concerted attempt to unleash violence and stringent measures had to be implemented to prevent hooliganism in the name of pilgrimage. It was also submitted that security arrangements were advised by the central government.But the court said the state government cannot put the blame on the Centre and there are many ways to implement the apex court's verdict. As an example, the court said the government could have arranged a separate queue and timings during this season. The court also clarified that it is not concerned about people engaged in protests but is worried about the welfare of pilgrims. The court also noted that Sabarimala has become a war zone and, taking a dig at protesters, said all stakeholders are doing their bit to stoke the conflict.Travancore Devaswom Board was asked by the court to inform whether it had made a request for deploying police in large numbers at Sabarimala. The board was directed to inform about the maximum number of pilgrims that can be accommodated at Sannidhanam.The court also criticized KSRTC, which had assured the court at an earlier hearing that it would operate non-airconditioned buses between Nilakkal and Pamba every minute and air-conditioned buses every two minutes. A monopoly was granted by the court to KSRTC on such an assurance and if KSRTC behaved in this manner, the court would grant permission for private vehicles to proceed further from Nilakkal to Pamba, the court warned.

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