Security in Ayodhya tightened for Babri Masjid demolition anniversary

Ayodhya: The district administration of Ayodhya and Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh has put the twin cities on high alert for the 24^th anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition on Tuesday.

According to reports, security in Ayodhya was tightened on Monday with the deployment of 10 extra companies of paramilitary forces.

Faizabad district magistrate Vivek Kumar and senior superintendent of police Anant Dev jointly monitored the security arrangements. Vigil was also tightened in the nearby towns of Rudauli and Bhadarsa.

The administration has told people not to pay heed to rumours, especially on social media, said the report.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits the assembly of five or more people, was in force in the two cities, said the report.

Police are searching hotels, lodges, guest houses, bus stations, railway stations and other public places for suspicious objects or persons.

Every temple in the two cities has been asked to maintain a visitors’ register and record the name of every outstation pilgrim, said the report.

Meanwhile, security was beefed up across Madurai district of Tamil Nadu on Monday in view of the anniversary.

Adequate number of Armed Reserve and Tamil Nadu Special Police personnel with good number of vehicles have been kept ready for any untoward incident, said a report in The Hindu.

Besides installing door-frame metal detectors at the entrance of Tirunelveli Railway Junction, traveler baggage is being checked by police personnel with hand-held metal detectors.

Similar security arrangements have been made at all important temples in the district, including Swami Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, Sri Kasi Viswanathar Temple in Tenkasi and Sri Sankaranarayanar Temple in Sankarankovil.
A fresh proposal for settlement of Ayodhya dispute was submitted to Faizabad divisional commissioner on November 13 suggesting that a temple and a mosque be built at the site of the Babri Mosque.

The petition was reportedly signed by about 10,000 members from both Hindu and Muslim communities with former High Court judge Palok Basu leading the initiative.
Divisional Commissioner Surya Prakash Mishra, who is the receiver of the disputed site, said, "I received a memorandum regarding the dispute of Ayodhya and a bunch of photocopies containing some signatures. I have yet to decide what to do in this matter."

Basu said that they were hopeful that the Supreme Court will take note of it.