Ayodhya anniversary keeps cops on toes; passes off peacefully

Lucknow, Dec 6 (UNI) Five live bombs found at the Rae Bareli civil court, hearing the Ayodhya case, on the 15th anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure today sent the state security apparatus in a tizzy.

Elsewhere in the state, police detained over 70 'suspicious' people in Sultanpur district even as several Hindu and Muslim organisations held programmes across UP to mark the day.

A report from Rae Bareli this morning said five live crude bombs were seized from one Rajaram during checking in the court premises. One of his aides, however, managed to escape.

On interrogation, the arrested said he had bought the bombs to burst them in a marriage ceremony.

Yesterday, the hearing in the disputed structure demolition case had taken place in the same court premises.

To ensure a peaceful Ayodhya demolition anniversary, police in Sultanpur detained or arrested 70 suspicous persons. The district police had been keeping a hawk's eye on all religious places, bus stands and railway stations to thwart any attempt to create communal disturbances on the demolition anniversary. SP (East) of Sultanpur Santosh Kumar Singh said the detained persons could be released by late evening after their antecedent were checked.

In Ayodhya, as many as 17 members of Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha were arrested after they went for a 'parikrama' in the Ram Janmabhoomi campus today.

Superintendent of Police (city) Gopesh Nath Khanna said the Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha members were arrested for disturbing peace.

The district administration had already imposed Prohibitory orders in the twin cities of Ayodhya-Faizabad.

In the state capital and elsewhere, while Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and its affiliated organisations observed the day as 'Shaurya Diwas' (Day of chivalry), Muslim organisations, including the All-India Babri Masjid Action Committee (AIBMAC) marked the day as 'Yaum-e-gham' (Day of sorrow).

The anniversary is being observed as 'Shaurya Diwas' at the VHP headquarters in Karsewak Puram in Ayodhya, where the pledge for building a 'Grand Lord Ram temple' at the disputed site would be renewed, Parishad leaders said.

Besides, the discussion on protection of Ram Setu would be held.

On the other hand, Muslims have closed their shops in the twin cities.

Babri Masjid Action Committee local convener Mohd Yunus said '' we are praying that Babri Masjid is re-built on the same place.'' UNI