VHP's panch kosi yatra begins, Ayodhya on high alert

Lucknow, Sept 23: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (

) sponsored panch kosi yatra began on Monday amid high security.

Security forces were put on high alert in and around the town of Ayodhya and section 144, which prohibits unlawful assembly had been imposed in the area. Officials said that only seers and saints were allowed to participate in the ritual.

Earlier in August the state government had banned the 84-kosi Parikrama ritual and had arrested many saints and VHP activists. However the officials this time said that no preventive arrests were made and that security personnel were asked to maintain peace at all costs.

The formal start of the ritual began on Sunday at the Karsevalpuram, where a yagna was held to ensure that VHP's resolve to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya is fulfilled.

VHP's regional spokespersson Sharad Sharad Sharma said that the yatra was being undertaken in Ayodhya solely with the purpose of their desire for a Ram temple.

Officials say that the panch kosi yatra was an annual ritual and the state government did not want to meddle with the day-to-day affairs of any community.

OneIndia News