Security tightened at Ayodhya Mela

Ayodhya, Apr 8: With the threat of terrorist attack looming large over the famous Ramnavmi Mela here, security has been heightened across the holy city.

Superintendent of Police (city) Gopesh Nath Khanna today told UNI that as compared to previous year, deployment of armed police force had been increased by 50 per cent across the mela area.

He said the entire area had been divided into six zones and 24 sectors and a posse of police, bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs garrisoned around the river Saryu ghats.

The Mela area had been connected through CCTVs and police directed to maintain round the clock vigil, the SP informed.

Besides, unprecedented security arrangements had been made at the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi Complex, Hanuman Garhi, Nageshwarnath and Kanak Bhawan temples, he added.

Meanwhile, amid reverberation of holy chants like 'Jai Mata Di', the famous temples of the holy city are witnessing a long queue of devouts during the Chaitra Navratri.

This time, the festival would be celebrated for eight days instead of nine, as 'saptami' and 'ashtami' are falling on the same day.

The eight-day long ritual would conclude on April 14, which is also the birthday of Lord Ram.

According to sources, over 15 lakh people are likely to converge for the Ramnavmi here on April 14.

UNI