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5800 VHP activists arrested, more paramilitary forces deployed
Ayodhya, Oct 14: With just three days left for VHP`s mass rally here amidst heightening tension, Uttar Pradesh government today kept up the heat arresting 5800 Ram bhakts heading to the temple town and deployed 100 companies of paramilitary personnel here and adjacent Faizabad as the saffron outfit claimed its programme would be peaceful.
Ayodhya, Oct 14: With just three days left for VHP's mass rally here amidst heightening tension, Uttar Pradesh government today kept up the heat arresting 5800 Ram bhakts heading to the temple town and deployed 100 companies of paramilitary personnel here and adjacent Faizabad as the saffron outfit claimed its programme would be peaceful.
In the single biggest drive, nearly 3000 VHP activists, mostly from South India, were arrested at Varanasi and Mughalsarai railway stations as soon as they reached there by Ratnagiri and Tirupati Express trains, police sources said.
Another 2000 VHP workers were nabbed at Badohi railway stations today, the sources said. Reports of arrests came in from Jaunpur, Basti and Kanpur also.
With this, authorities have rounded up over 10,000 VHP activists since the crackdown began last week.
Security has been beefed up in and around Ramsevakpuram, the venue of the proposed VHP gathering, and two temple-building workshops run by VHP.
Ayodhya was turned into a virtual fortress with authorities allowing movement of only those vehicles which have been issued special passes and maintaining round-the-clock vigil on the movement of vehicles and trains which are running almost empty.
More para-military forces have reached the district and 1862 VHP activists were arrested today, Kumar said.
In view of escalating tension over the VHP programme, all educational institutions have been closed from October 15 to 17 as a precautionary measure, Faizabad District Magistrate Kumar said.
Thirty three check points have been set up to check possible attempts by VHP activists to enter Ayodhya and passengers travelling into the temple town were bring checked.
Chief secretary of the state A P Singh told newspersons in Lucknow that 100 companies of central para-military forces were being deployed in Ayodhya-Faizabad alone to maintain peace and order during the VHP programme.
Two more trains passing through Ayodhya were diverted today while the routes of some more were likely to be changed tomorrow, Singh said describing the situation in the temple town as "normal."
Apparently responding to VHP's complaint about hardship faced by pilgrims visiting Ayodhya, tempo service between Ayodhya and Faizabad was restarted today for the benefit of common people and markets remained open, the chief secretary said.
Devotees visiting different temples had 'darshan' of Ram Lalla today , he said adding the administration was taking all steps to maintain status quo in the disputed area as per the high court orders.
Arrangements were being made to ensure smooth supply of essential commoditions in the different localities of Ayodhya and ensure that normal life remained undisturbed, he said.
To a question on VHP's proposed 'Sankalp meeting' in Lucknow tomorrow to garner support for the October 17 programme, the chief secretary said permission, if sought, would be given with the administration fixing the route for the proposed march.
Bureau Report
Another 2000 VHP workers were nabbed at Badohi railway stations today, the sources said. Reports of arrests came in from Jaunpur, Basti and Kanpur also.
With this, authorities have rounded up over 10,000 VHP activists since the crackdown began last week.
Security has been beefed up in and around Ramsevakpuram, the venue of the proposed VHP gathering, and two temple-building workshops run by VHP.
Ayodhya was turned into a virtual fortress with authorities allowing movement of only those vehicles which have been issued special passes and maintaining round-the-clock vigil on the movement of vehicles and trains which are running almost empty.
More para-military forces have reached the district and 1862 VHP activists were arrested today, Kumar said.
In view of escalating tension over the VHP programme, all educational institutions have been closed from October 15 to 17 as a precautionary measure, Faizabad District Magistrate Kumar said.
Thirty three check points have been set up to check possible attempts by VHP activists to enter Ayodhya and passengers travelling into the temple town were bring checked.
Chief secretary of the state A P Singh told newspersons in Lucknow that 100 companies of central para-military forces were being deployed in Ayodhya-Faizabad alone to maintain peace and order during the VHP programme.
Two more trains passing through Ayodhya were diverted today while the routes of some more were likely to be changed tomorrow, Singh said describing the situation in the temple town as "normal."
Apparently responding to VHP's complaint about hardship faced by pilgrims visiting Ayodhya, tempo service between Ayodhya and Faizabad was restarted today for the benefit of common people and markets remained open, the chief secretary said.
Devotees visiting different temples had 'darshan' of Ram Lalla today , he said adding the administration was taking all steps to maintain status quo in the disputed area as per the high court orders.
Arrangements were being made to ensure smooth supply of essential commoditions in the different localities of Ayodhya and ensure that normal life remained undisturbed, he said.
To a question on VHP's proposed 'Sankalp meeting' in Lucknow tomorrow to garner support for the October 17 programme, the chief secretary said permission, if sought, would be given with the administration fixing the route for the proposed march.
Bureau Report