In the wake of the Dharma Sabha, Ayodhya — the birth place of Ram — was transformed into a fortress and over 70,000 security personnel, including PAC and RAF personnel, were deployed for the VHP function and visit of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thakeray. Section 144 has already been clamped.
Two senior officers — ADG (technical) Ashutosh Pandey and DIG (Jhansi Range) Subhash Singh Baghel were rushed to Ayodhya to ensure security. While Pandey would be supervising blue and yellow zone of disputed area, Baghel would look after the red zone.
Besides, five SP rank officers were deputed at Ayodhya along with 15 ASPs and 19 DSPs. The temple town has been divided into eight zones and 16 sectors which would be headed by a magistrate and an ASP and Deputy SP rank police officers.
To avert any untoward incident, all roads leading to the residence of Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi case litigant Iqbal Ansari were sealed.
Last week, the authorities had enhanced the security of Ansari after he perceived threat to the lives of minorities in the wake of Vishwa Hindu Parishad-sponsored Dharma Sabha at Ayodhya starting November 25. Ansari was provided with a sub-inspector and four constables for security, which will remain in place till further orders.
Ansari had earlier expressed apprehension that the large turnout for the November 25 function at Ayodhya could attack minorities living in Ayodhya and urged the Government to ensure their security.
A UP Police spokesman confirmed in Lucknow on Saturday that Ayodhya district authorities had sealed all roads leading to Ansari’s home and pressed Rapid Action Force (RAF) to ensure that no untoward incident took place. Besdies, the administration deployed a heavy police force around Ansari’s residence.
PRO of DGP said that security was particularly strengthened in the wake of the presence of Shiv Sainiks in the district. He added that on Saturday, a total of 17680 pilgrims had a darshan of Ram Janmabhomi till evening. He added that the programme of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thakeray concluded without any untoward incident on Saturday evening.
Meanwhile, Ansari said that he was satisfied with the security arrangements in Ayodhya ahead of the Dharma Sabha but cast aspersions on the intention of leaders in bringing a large number of people to the town and posing problems for the locals.
Ansari said, “The Yogi government has done what was needed with tight security arrangements in place in Ayodhya. We are satisfied with the steps taken by the government.
Speaking to media persons, the main litigant opined, “If anyone has any issue on the matter of temple-mosque, he/she should go to Delhi and Lucknow to express their views. They can gherao the Vidhan Sabha or Parliament but leave the people of Ayodhya in peace.”
Committed to enforcing Supreme Court guidelines in maintaining security in disputed area and maintain law and order, senior officials metin Lucknow to assess the situation.