50 ascetics arrested en route to Ayodhya

Agra, Aug 24: Fifty ascetics from Rajasthan headed, by bus, to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh to undertake the 84-kosi parikrama were arrested around midnight at the Chauma Shahpur border and sent to jail temporarily.

Senior Superintendent of Police Shalabh Mathur said the ascetics will be lodged for a while at the police lines in Agra.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which has been spearheading the movement, said 200 ascetics from Rajasthan began their journey Friday. So far, 64 of them have been arrested.

All borders have been sealed and vehicles are being screened to prevent people from undertaking the march, planned by the VHP to press for the resumption of religious activities at the contested Ayodhya site believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.

The local administration has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and asked people who have assembled for the march from Aug 22 to leave the area.

IANS