NSS office attack; 2 'RSS workers' arrested

: Two men, stated to be RSS workers, were arrested Thursday in connection with a case related to vandalising of the Nair Service Society (NSS) office in Alapuzha district, a senior police official said.

Offices of the NSS, a body of the influential Nair community in the state, which was spearheading the stir over entry of menstrual age women into Sabarimala shrine,came under attack at different places in the first week of November.

A black flag was hoisted and a wreath, on which was written a condolence message in the name of NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair, was placed at the flag post.

"We have arrested two men in connection with the attack and vandalisation of the NSS office at Kudassanadu.

We have examined CCTV visuals of the locality. There was an attempt to mislead the probe team, including the dog squad," a senior police officer told PTI.

Vikraman Nair (48) and Sreejith (22), were arrested Thursday. Another accused, Mahesh, was absconding, he said.

He claimed that the duo were RSS workers and said they have been booked under Section 153(A) of the Indian Penal Code.

The section deals with the act of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.

NSS office-bearers had claimed that the attacks were by certain "frustrated elements" desperate after seeing the 'mass' participation of people in the protest against the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict, allowing entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.

The NSS has filed a petition, seeking a review of the the apex court lifting the ban on entry of women in the 10-50 age group into the famous temple.