Ayodhya, Sept 28: Senior Uttar Pradesh police officials today reviewed the security arrangements in the temple town ahead of VHP's 'Jan Jagran Yatra' here on October 17 and asserted that the status quo at the disputed site would be maintained at all costs. "The court's orders to maintain status quo will be maintained," IGP V N Ray said after visiting various sensitive places in the town including the acquired land. Recalling that VHP's earlier assurances in 1990 and 1992 about conducting their programmes peacefully had proved wrong leading to the demolition of the disputed structure, he said the state police and administration "will take all necessary steps to deal with any situation." Ray, who reviewed the security preparedness with senior officials, said while there will be no restrictions on the entry of people visiting Ayodhya for religious purposes, government could consider some restrictions to ensure that no untoward incident took place. He said though there was talk of mobilisation of 3-4 lakh people in Ayodhya on that day, VHP's "tall claims" cannot be believed.
Ray, who held discussions with few religious leaders, claimed that some mahants had expressed resentment against the VHP programme. "They said the VHP programme may disturb normal life in Ayodhya," he claimed.
Bureau Report