14th anniversary of demolition passes peacefully

Lucknow, Dec 6 (UNI) With both communities displaying restraint, the 14th anniversary of demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya passed off peacefully in Uttar Pradesh amid token protests by various Hindu and Muslim outfits.

Members of the minority community wore black ribbons, while the Hindu organisations like Bajrang Dal and Shiv Sena celebrated the day as 'Shaurya Diwas' (day of valour).

There were no untoward incidents reported from anywhere in UP, a home department spokesperson told newspersons here this evening.

Ayodhya, where the disputed structure was demolished on December 6, 1992, remained by and large peaceful. Heavy police 'bandobast' was made as precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident.

As many as 17 Hindu Mahasabha activists had been taken into custody, while defying the ban orders, a report from Faizabad quoting police said.

The 'Shaurya Sammelan' was observed at Karsewakpuram, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) headquarters at Ayodhya, where saints resolved to construct a grand Ram temple at the very site in Ayodhya.

Meanwhile, Muslim League state president Nazmul Hasan Gani and Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) local convener Mohd Yunus handed over separate memoranda addressed to President A P J Abdul Kalam through the district administration demanding construction of Babri mosque.

Muslims kept their business establishments closed in twin towns of Faizabad and Ayodhya, where massive security arrangement had been made to maintain law and order.

In the UP capital here, Muslim League staged a symbolic dharna at the Vidhan Sabha to protest the demolition, while nothing unpleasant took place.

An All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMLPB) delegation headed by Naib Imam Eidgah Maulana Khalid Rashid handed over an eight point memorandum to the Lucknow DM demanding fresh notification from the state government regarding the demolition case as well as punishment to the ''conspirators of the demolition.'' They urged Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav to withdraw the 'bullet proofing' plan around the sanctum sanctorum in Ayodhya, where the makeshift 'Ramlala' temple is situated.

The religious towns of Varanasi -- the place of Kashi Vishwanath temple and Mathura -- where the Krishna Janmbhoomi is situated, also remained tranquil as per reports reaching at UP headquarters here.

The industrial town of Kanpur, which had witnessed some ugly scenes during past years on this day, also remained incident free.

Heavy security was ensured in the city with special vigil in hypersensitive localities of Beconganj, Moolganj, Chetganj and Bajaria. Muslims recited the Koran at Talaqmahal and bonned black ribbons as token protest.

Similar reports were received from Sultanpur, Gonda, Pratapgarh and Barabanki, the districts adjacent to Faizabad.

UNI TEAM-SB VS MSJ DB2020