Babri Masjid demolition anniversary: Security put on maximum alert
Ayodhya: In the wake of the 26th anniversary of the demolition of Babri mosque today, hundreds of security personnel dotted the roads and bylanes and police made preventive arrests to thwart protests at the disputed site at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. Authorities have been keeping a tight vigil especially in the wake of saffron outfits raising the pitch over the sensitive Ram temple issue.
Police on Wednesday arrested four activists of Hindu Samaj Party from Ram Janambhoomi police station area apprehending trouble from them at the disputed site on Thursday. So far eight persons have been taken into custody this week, including Mahant of Tapaswi Chawni temple – Paramhans Das, who had threatened to commit self-immolation for the construction of Ram temple on December 6.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal are preparing to mark the day as ‘Shaurya Diwas’ (day of bravery) and ‘Vijay Diwas’ (day of victory) and have asked the people to light earthen lamps as on Diwali, while the Muslim outfits have said they will observe ‘Yaum E Gham’ (day of sorrow) and ‘Yaum E Syah’ (black day).
Though it has almost become customary for the two sides to come out with such announcements, the events in the run up to the anniversary, especially the ‘Dharam Sabha’ (religious conclave) organised by the VHP on November 25 on the Ram temple issue, have prompted authorities to further shore up security in the city.
Over 2,500 police personnel, besides Rapid Action Force and paramilitary CRPF, have been deployed as part of multi-layered security in Ayodhya including in and around the disputed site and several parts of Hanumangarhi area of the city, officials said. “We have heavy security deployment in the twin towns of Faizabad-Ayodhya. The civil police along with CRPF and RAF have been deployed on roads and sensitive localities,” Superintendent of Police, Faizabad (city) Anil Singh said.
“Checking of vehicles, hotels and dharmshala (rest houses) in Ayodhya is being conducted. We have made all necessary security arrangements and have allowed only programme which are held by both the communities every year,” he said. While Paramhans Das was arrested on Tuesday, Hindu leader Kamlesh Tiwari, who claimed to be a leader of Hindu Maha Sabha, was held on Monday. Tiwari had announced that he will perform Karsewa for the construction of Ram Janambhoomi on December 6. (with agency inputs)
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