SANNIDHANAM: The three-member panel - appointed by high court to oversee

pilgrimage - sought justifications from the police on various

imposed on the movement of devotees at Sannidhanam and the spots where pilgrims traditionally laid viris.

This happened during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday after panel members, Justice PR Raman, Justice S Siri Jagan and DGP A Hemachandran, examined Sannidhanam and premises at forenoon. The panel will submit a report to the high court based on their observations during their two-day visit at Nilackal, Pamba and Sannidhanam.

At afternoon, the panel met officials of various departments and the police. Welfare of devotees was the core part of the three-hour discussions. Officials of other departments told the panel that police need to relax many restrictions imposed at Sannidhanam.

Another topic discussed was the restrictions imposed by installing barricades. Police said that restrictions would be relaxed when conditions improved. They reportedly told the panel that many protesters were camping at Sannidhanam in the guise of devotees. Sources said the panel asked police to examine the possibility of lifting restrictions, adding that restrictions can be tightened or relaxed according to existing conditions on each day.

The panel directed devaswom and KSEB to improve conditions of bunkers set up as accommodation facility for policemen. They said the bunkers were built using metal sheets, which absorb heat during the day and cause health problems. Panel members also directed department officials to resolve the hindrances in completing the works of a separate path, parallel to Valiya Nadapanthal, for tractors transporting goods to and from Sannidhanam.