Thiruvananthapuram/Kannur: As more

cases were reported in Kerala, authorities also cracked the whip on persons disobeying the social distancing and no crowd rule enforced to contain the disease. On Saturday, police booked the office-bearers of Malayinkeezhu Sree Krishna Swami Temple and Vellayani Devi Temple.

At Malayinkeezhu, police recorded the arrest of 28 members of the temple committee for organizing a huge procession that saw the participation of hundreds of devotees. Malayinkeezhu SI AB Saiju said the temple committee had gone ahead with the event, disregarding police directive.

“We had served them a couple of notices in this regard. But they just went ahead with conducting the event,” he said, adding that the persons, who were booked, were later granted bail after their arrests were recorded. At Vellayani, police booked over 100 persons including the members of the temple trust committee for taking out a procession on the road. They were charged under Sections 51(b) of Disaster Management Act and 118e of Kerala Police Act. Those booked include devotees who took part in the procession.

The 70day Vellayani Devi Temple fest will conclude on April 23. Police registered the case on Saturday evening. In the morning, the temple committee members convened a meeting and decided to cancel all public events that are part of the festival.

Six cases in Kannur: In Kannur, police registered cases against six places of worship, including Trichambaram temple in Taliparamba and five mosques, for organizing rituals, violating restrictions. Taliparamba deputy SP TK Rathnakumar said a case was registered against authorities of the temple for organizing a mass event.