Babri Anniversary: Tight security in place at Ayodhya

Ayodhya, Dec 6 (ANI): Security was beefed up at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on the Babri demolition anniversary on Sunday.

In 1992, on the same day, the disputed mosque was brought down by Hindu fanatics, as they believed it to be the birth place of Lord Rama.

The event ending being one of the worst communal riots the country experienced.

The Uttar Pradesh Government has deployed police personnel across the town to ensure security, public safety and peace.

Vehicles are being thoroughly checked, and all those passing by, are being frisked by security personnel.

Priests at temples in the town are still demanding that a Ram temple must be constructed at the disputed site for sentimental reasons.

"We want that government should put a halt in this dispute and construct a Ram Mandir for the welfare of the Hindu community so that they can live in peace," said Dayanand Das, a priest, Sagariya Patti Sri Hanumaan Garhi.

On their part, members of the Muslim community here said the government must ensure the dispute between Hindus and Muslims ends at the earliest.

"We want that government should make an immediate decision so that Ayodhya can prosper. Our problem will be solved. We are the locals of Ayodhya and temple is our means of livelihood. We are living here since so many years," opined Auhara, a local Muslim woman.

Hindus argue that the Babri mosque was built by Mughal emperor Babar after destroying a temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram. Muslims dispute this claim and want that the mosque be rebuilt.

Muslims across India observe December 6 as a Black Day whereas Hindu radicals said that they would observe the day as Shaurya Diwas.

Earlier in the week, the Union Home Ministry had also asked all the state governments to put high security in place on this day and also requested the people to maintain communal harmony in the country. (ANI)