Two women, under the age of 50 years, who reached Nilakkal base camp on Saturday to trek to Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, had to return back after police warned them about protesters in Pamba. These were the same women — Reshma Nishant and Shanila Sajesh — who had attempted to climb the hill to offer prayers earlier this week.

Reshma and Shanila had earlier announced their intentions to enter the temple after the landmark Supreme Court verdict. On Wednesday, they began the trek around 4 am from the base camp of Pamba with police protection. But when a group of male pilgrims, returning from the temple, identified them, protests rang out.