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On the second day of excavation at the disputed site in Ayodhya, archaeologists were stopped in their tracks when they encountered the floor of the razed mosque after digging up to a depth of about 4-5 inches.
The ASI team, led by Superintending Archaeologist B R Mani, plans to seek the permission of the special bench of the Allahabad high court, under whose direction the excavation is being undertaken, before digging through the floor of the razed mosque.
However, lawyers representing the two sides in the case are perplexed.
"I see no reason why permission of the court should be sought for piercing through the floor of the razed mosque," remarked Zafaryab Jilani, the counsel for the Muslim bodies.
Madam Mohan Pandey, a lawyer representing the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, concurred.
Archaeologists also came across a shell, basal stone (used in the foundation of a building) and a few imprints of 1920s vintage even as the VHP dismissed the exercise as tedious and demanded return of the acquired land on the basis of earlier evidence.
While the shell (kaudi) and basal stone were found in one trench, an imprint V N Singh' of a brick kiln owner and '1924' were seen in two other trenches.
"The items have little relevance to the exercise aimed at finding whether a temple existed beneath the disputed structure," the sources said.
Both the shell and basal were put in a sealed polythene cover with signatures of all the representatives of the contesting parties present at the time.
Archaeologists Jayanti Prasad and Prakash Charan Prakash were present on behalf of the contesting Hindu parties while archaeologists R C Takran and Mohammed Abid represented the Muslim bodies.
Earlier, 22-odd labourers, under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India team, began digging in 4-by-4 metre trenches just opposite the make-shift temple.
Excavations at new trenches just adjacent to the present ones would be carried out on Saturday, as work would remain suspended on Friday on account of Muharram.
A steady steam of pilgrims offered prayers at the makeshift temple unhindered by the excavation work.
Scores of VHP and RSS activists, including some wearing shorts and carrying saffron flags and shouting slogans such as Jai Shri Ram and Mandir wahin banayengey (we will construct temple at the disputed site), also converged at the disputed site sending security personnel into a tizzy.
However, after posing before waiting photojournalists and TV crews, the activists headed for a darshan at the makeshift temple and dispersed peacefully thereafter.
Meanwhile, VHP central secretary Ramphal Singh expressed concern over the slow' pace of the excavation and demanded that the acquired land be handed over to the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas for construction of a Ram temple. His demand, he said, is based of the result of a recent survey and the relics found in the area in 1991 and 1992.
VHP joint general secretary Champat Rai insisted that the excavation would not influence its agitation plan and it was determined to proceed with its week long satyagraha in Delhi beginning March 27 in support of a law to facilitate temple construction.
He also said the excavation has opened the doors for similar demands regarding other historical and religious sites.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in the temple town and adjoining Faizabad in view of Muharram on Friday.