Thiruvananthapuram: Despite government's advisories to avoid public gatherings to prevent the spread of the Covid-19, twelve people were taken into custody by the police officials, who participated in a temple festival in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.
Malayinkeezhu police have filed a case against the authorities of Malayinkeezhu Sree Krishna Swami Temple for violation of the rules with respect to preventive measures. Temple festival committee president and secretary were ordered to be present before the district collector.
"Twelve people have been booked under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Disaster Management Act. The temple festival was held on Friday in which more than 500 people took part", said a police officer.
However, this is not the first time that a case was filed against the temple authorities for violating the rules. Earlier, a similar case was filed against Vellayani Temple's festival committee authorities for not following District Collector's instructions against the mass gathering.
Kerala is the worst-hit state in the southern part of India as a total number of positive cases surge to 52. Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan has ordered lockdown in the state and imposed several restrictions as positive Covid-19 cases tend to increase.
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State Government has also decided to fully co-operate with the Central Government following the directions of 'Janata Curfew' where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all the citizens to stay indoors on Sunday from 7 am to 9 pm to avoid the spread of the infection.
Seeing the outbreak of Global pandemic, the state government has announced a Rs 20,000-crore financial package for the state to tide over the present crisis. This includes Rs 14,000 crore to clear all arrears pending in various sectors and a Rs 500-crore health package. The plan covers health package, loan assistance, welfare pension, MNREGS, free foodgrain, subsidised meals, tax relief, and arrear clearance.
The state government will facilitate Rs 2,000 crore loans through self-help group Kudumbashree in the nature of a consumer loan to those impacted by COVID-19.
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