With Supreme Court’s verdict on Ayodhya issue expected to be pronounced in the second week of November, security and intelligence agencies have been put on high alert in Uttar Pradesh. Also, sleuths of Intelligence Bureau (IB) have perched themselves in the three disputed shrines in the state including, Ayodhya, to preempt subversive activity. 

High level sources said in Lucknow on Wednesday that the IB has reviewed the security of important religious places in the state and special security plans have been put in place for Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi. 

A team of IB sleuths has also been stationed in Ayodhya and a co-ordination meeting is likely between the security agencies. Leaves of administrative officers have already been cancelled till November 30 as the verdict in Ayodhya land dispute case in Supreme Court is expected in the next fortnight. Besides, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been promulgated in all 75 districts of the state. 

A report from Ayodhya said that additional forces have been sought for the security of the city before the apex court verdict and authorities have identified schools and colleges to house these forces. 

A total of 14 appeals were filed in the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgement delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among three parties — Sunni Waqf Board, Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. 

Initially, as many as five lawsuits were filed in the lower court. The first one was filed by Lord Ram’s devotee Gopal Singh Visharad in 1950 to seek enforcement of the right to worship of Hindus at the disputed site.