Security tightened in Ayodhya for VHP, Shiv Sena's prog

Ayodhya: The Uttar Pradesh police has beefed up security in Ayodhya,  particularly near the disputed site, for the weekend programmes of the VHP and Shiv Sena.

While VHP, in support of the RSS, would hold a Dharam Sabha to demand a legislation on the early construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site on November 25, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thakre would be visiting the city for two days starting November 24.

In order to comply with the Supreme court's order and to maintain law and order, the UP government has made elaborate security arrangements in the temple town with deployment of anti-terror squads, additional police and para military forces, including the RAF, and also use drone cameras to monitor the crowd.

The VHP has claimed that over one lakh people, including saints and sadhus, would attend the 'Dharam Sabha', while around 5,000 people mostly from Maharashtra would accompany the Shiv Sena chief in Ayodhya.The event will be held at Baade Bhaktmal ground on the Parikarma marg.

Shiv Sena will not hold any big programme but Uddhav Thakre would be meeting the saints, attending the Saryu Aarti and visiting the Ram Lalla makeshift temple in the disputed site during his two days stay.

UP Director General of Police (DGP) O P Singh said here on Thursday  that a review of the security arrangement has done and all preparation has been made in place to implement the Supreme Court order and maintain law and order and communal peace. 

ADG Lucknow zone and IG Lucknow will be camping in Ayodhya from November 24 and the town has been divided into different sectors and each sector would be headed by a gazetted officer. The state police chief also said that no mass movement would be allowed towards the Ram Lalla site.

Section 144 has already been clamped in Ayodhya and no activity would be allowed without permission of the district administration, the DGP said. 

Principal secretary (home) Arvind Kumar said there was no need of any concern as adequate security arrangements have already been made and the directions of the Supreme Court would be strictly followed.

On the concerns of Muslims fearing a backlash, the officer said their fear is unfounded and they have been convinced of their security after local authorities met them.

Mr Kumar also said that around one lakh or little more people were expected to attend the VHP rally. ?Around 20-25 lakh pilgrims camp in the city during Chauda Koshi Parikrma and Panch Kosi Parikrma.? This congregation is manageable,? he said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ayodhya,  Joginder Singh said that they have demanded 20 companies of PAC and 2 companies of RAF to maintain law and order.(UNI)