Ahead of Ram Mandir Opening, UP ATS Detains 3 Suspects From Ayodhya

Ahead of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22, Uttar Pradesh Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) detained three suspicious individuals in Ayodhya on Thursday.

Three persons were detained during checking in Ayodha district and they are currently being interrogated, the Uttar Pradesh Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar told ANI.

"As part of the checking campaign being conducted on the instructions of the State Government and Police Headquarters, three suspicious persons have been detained by UP-ATS from Ayodhya district. These suspects are being interrogated," the news agency quoted DGP Kumar as saying. "Till now, their connection with any terrorist organisation has not come to light," he added.

To enhance security in the city, the Uttar Pradesh government has increased surveillance using drones ahead of the Ram Temple event. The state government has integrated technologies like night vision devices (NVD) and CCTV cameras to observe activities throughout the city.

"We have tried to incorporate all types of technologies into drones, including NVD, infrared cameras, and CCTV for security," Additional Superintendent of Police, Pravin Ranjan Singh told ANI earlier.

Meanwhile, the new idol of Lord Ram was placed on Thursday afternoon in the sanctum sanctorum. It is a 51-inch Ram Lalla idol, sculpted by Mysuru-based sculptor Arun Yogiraj.

Rituals leading up to the consecration ceremony are already underway at the temple, which will be inaugurated with 'pran pratishtha' ceremony on January 22. The event will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several ministers from his cabinet, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, film personalities, business magnets and sportsmen.