Based on intelligence report, eight people were taken into preventive custody from the Sabarimala temple complex on Tuesday. There were reports that they were at the hill shrine to create trouble, the police said.
"Two of the detainees have criminal cases registered against them at local police stations. They were taken into custody based on intelligence report," the official said. They were taken to the Pamba police station.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and MPs, V Muraleedharan and Nalin Kumar Kateel, who were in Sabarimala to take stock of the facilities and situation at the Lord Ayyappa temple, arrived at the 'Sannidhanam' (temple complex) police station where the detainees were kept initially.
Muraleedharan termed the detention "unlawful". He not only protested and but also sought an explanation from the superintendent of police Pratheesh Kumar, who is in charge of security at Sannidhanam.
Later, Muraleedharan told reporters that the officer assured that he would look into the matter.
(With PTI inputs)