Mob Attacks Journalists Near Sabarimala

Two woman journalist were attacked by the mob on their way to Sabarimala on Wednesday. South Indian Bureau Chief of Republic TV Pooja Prasanna was manhandled by a mob of 100 people when she was covering the protests in Nilackal.

In a tweet, Republic said, "Mob of 100 smash car, attack Republic TV's South India bureau chief Pooja Prasanna". The mob of anti-women Sabarimala protesters had snatched batons from the police and attacked the television crew. Ms Prasanna is safe.

The vehicle belonged to the channel was also thrashed by the violent mob. Their crew were attacked by the mob.

In another incident a South Indian Online portal Journalist Saritha .S. Balan was also attacked by a mob of 20 people in Pamba. The protesters tried to drag her out of a bus and abused her physical and verbally.

"She was kicked from behind as angry devotees took her photograph, called her derogatory names and chanted slogans in the name of Ayyappa. A woman also tried to throw a water bottle at Saritha," The News Minute reported.

The protesters are gathered at Nilackal to block the women between the age of 10 to 50 from entering the Sabarimala shrine. A 45-year old woman from Andhra walked towards Sabarimala from Pamba along with Police protection but, she was returned due to protests.

Last month, the Supreme Court said women of menstruating age — 10 to 50 years — must be allowed into the temple, calling the practice of banning them "almost like untouchability"

(Featured image: NDTV.com)