The Hindu : Business as usual in Ayodhya

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 06, 2002

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Business as usual in Ayodhya

By J.P. Shukla

Security personnel checking vehicles at the entry point of Ayodhya on Thursday. — Subir Roy

AYODHYA DEC. 5. The common people in the twin cities of Ayodhya and Faizabad are almost oblivious of the tenth anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition tomorrow, even as the administration has tightened the security measures this afternoon amid announcements by leaders of the two communities to observe the day according to their own perceptions.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad said it would observe the day as `Shaurya divas', as it has been doing ever since 1992, while the Muslim organisations have appealed to Muslims not to celebrate Id tomorrow, though they would offer the customary prayers on the Idgah grounds. Both the calls appear more as symbolic measures, as the people lack the enthusiasm to go by the dictates of the hardliners.

The Faizabad markets today had a weekly closure but roadside shops were doing brisk business with men and women belonging to the minority community making Id purchases. In Karsevakpuram, centre of the VHP in Ayodhya, the outfit's media in-charge said the function to observe `Shaurya divas' would be organised tomorrow.

VHP sources, however, said all senior leaders were in Gujarat, where campaigning for the December 12 Assembly elections was on in full swing. "Gujarat has a greater need of Hindutva nowadays. Ayodhya can wait for a while," a VHP sympathiser said.

Though security measures have been tightened, unlike in the past, the administration looked more relaxed this time.

The administration has called five Sub-Divisional Magistrates, seven Additional Superintendents of Police, 20 Deputy Superintendents of Police and 250 sub-inspectors from outside to look after the security arrangements tomorrow.

Besides, 16 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and the Central Reserve Police Force are permanently located at Ayodhya to maintain law and order.

To help them, five companies of the Rapid Action Force were brought in today and deployed at strategic points.

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