Ayodhya verdict: Security stepped up across UP

Security has been stepped up across Uttar Pradesh to check any law and order problem that may arise after the court verdict on Ayodhya title suits is pronounced on September 24.

The security in the court compound as well as that provided to the three judges concerned with the case has been increased, a senior police official said.

The staff of the concerned judges is also being provided adequate security in view of the sensitive nature of the case, the official said, adding CRPF deployment has been

increased and strict restrictions will be in force on movement in and around the court on September 24.

Senior police officials led by principal secretary, Home Fateh Bahadur held discussions last night to review the security arrangements in the state.

DGP Karamvir Singh and ADG Law and order Brij Lal had been extensively touring the state for the past one week so as to review the situation and seek public participation in maintaining peace and order.

This is the first time that a move has been made to ensure people's participation in maintaining peace at the most crucial of times to check any adverse reaction from the public, the official said adding lekhpals, shiksha mitras and teachers in villages are also being involved.

This step has been taken as there was no response from the Centre to the demand for over 400 companies of the central forces though the prime minister had said that maintaining law and order after the verdict was a top priority, the official said.

"From our own resources we are allocating forces to different districts with a special plan for the 19 districts which have been identified as hyper sensitive and 25 others which have been identified as sensitive."

 Deployment plan involving 82,000 civil police, 150 companies of the PAC, 80,000 home guards and 20,000 PRD jawans has been worked out, the official said adding foolproof arrangements are being put into force to effectively check any reaction to the verdict.

Yesterday, UP had asked the Centre for 63,000 additional paramilitary personnel to deal with any law and order problems following the court verdict. "The Centre has allocated 40 companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) which will be made available to the state from September 16," ADG Brij Lal told reporters.

He said that 150 companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) has also been deployed across the state.

UP had earlier demanded 63000 paramilitary personnel from the Centre, sources said.

"We have been pro-active and have made elaborate arrangements for festivals, the court's verdict and panchayat elections," the ADG said.

He said that availability of required equipment including rubber bullets, teargas, batons, protective gears was being ensured in every district.

"Public address systems linked with wireless are being installed at 700 police stations in the state, which will help the police to connect directly with the public," Brij Lal said.

"All available resources are being utilised and assistance of public is also being taken to maintain peace and harmony. We are ready to face any law and order problem," he added.

The ADG said that assistance of various departments have also been taken.

"Government employees including lekhpals, teachers' village development officers and health department staff have been roped in to interact and coordinate with the people in villages," he said, adding that an extensive communication plan has also been chalked out.

Brij Lal said that special attention was being paid on sensitive areas in the state.

"A security system already exists for Ayodhya where adequate force had already been deployed," he added.

In a reply to a question, he said that special security arrangement would be made for the court.

Meanwhile, after the hearing date being fixed by the court, senior police officials, led by the principal secretary home, Fateh Bahadur held long parleys last night to review the security arrangements in the state, sources said.