Pathanamthitta, January 6: In a tragic incident, seven Sabarimala pilgrims were killed after their van collided with a truck near Thirumayam in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu. Pilgrims were returning from Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple when the incident took place. Four pilgrims also sustained severe injuries in the accident. As per police, the pilgrims hailed from Andhra Pradesh. Injured were rushed to Thirumayam Government Hospital. Police are investigating the accident. Two Buses Collide in Tamil Nadu's Salem, 7 Killed 30 Injured.

Meanwhile, protests intensify in Kerala after the two women entered the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa. On January 2, the two women identified as Bindu and Kanakadurga in their early 40s, entered the sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala temple. They started their climb around midnight and reached the hilltop shrine after 3:45 am and left after praying to Lord Ayyappa. Sabarimala Row: Kerala DGP Ensures Strict Action Against Those Flouting Laws.

However, a day after the two women entered in the Sabarimala Temple, United Democratic Front (UDF) observed 'black day' in the state. Along with the UDF Sabarimala Karma Samithi also held a 2-hour long bandh. Around 3,178 people have been arrested till now by the Kerala Police in connection with the violence across the state while protesting against the Supreme Court’s decision of allowing women of all ages. Meanwhile, a total of 1,286 cases were registered against 37,979 persons.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 06, 2019 06:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).