Security geared up for Babri Masjid demolition anniversary in Lucknow

Security has been geared up on the eve of the 17th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid and authorities have banned observance of the day by political parties through different functions to avert any law and order problem.

While VHP has decided to observe the day as "Shourya Diwas (valour day)", Samajwadi Party has planned "Kala Diwas (black day)". All India Babri Masjid Action Committee has decided to organise special prayers for peace and harmony.

Additional director general (Law and Order) Brijlal said district police chiefs have been asked to ensure that these programmes did not vitiate communal atmosphere. He said tight security arrangements were being made in Ayodhya and other sensitive districts.

In Ayodhya besides central forces, 500 personnel of PAC, 200 jawans of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and three bomb detecting squads and anti-sabotage teams have been deployed, he said.

RAF teams have also been deployed in Faizabad, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Moradabad, Aligarh, Varanasi, Mau, Kanpur and other districts, he said.

The authorities are extra careful this time as the atmosphere has become surcharged after the Liberhan commission indicted senior BJP leaders including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. The report, tabled in Parliament, however, exonerated the then prime minister PV Narasimha Rao.

Sources said public places including railway stations, bus stands and markets were kept under surveillance to avert any attempt to disturb law and order. 

Various political parties and organisations have announced their plans to hold protests and victory functions to mark the occasion. The SP had decided to observe "Kala Diwas (black day)".

"We will observe December 6 as black day. Party workers across the state will wear black ribbons and hold meetings at party offices in respective districts," SP state chief Akhilesh Yadav said.

Alleging that the Centre was not serious in resolving the Ayodhya dispute, Yadav said the minority community was feeling insecure. He said communal forces were again trying to vitiate the communal atmosphere in the state and attributed it to "hobnobbing" between Congress and ruling BSP in the state.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad had decided to observe the day as "Shaurya Diwas (valour day)" during which 'Yajna' and conferences will be organised across the state, a senior VHP functionary said.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat today said there was no question of the Sangh regretting the demolition of Babri Masjid and maintained that its full support to the Ram temple movement will continue.

The All India Babri Masjid Action Committee has decided to organise special prayers for peace and harmony in the country, convenor of AIBMAC Zafaryab Zilani said. He said a memorandum will be submitted to the government demanding quick decision in cases related to Babri mosque and its demolition.