Ayodhya: Centre asks UP govt to maintain status quo

With Muzaffarnagar riots fresh in mind, the Centre has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to maintain status quo in Ayodha, where VHP has called for a 'Sankalp Diwas' rally, and prevent any attempt to flare up communal tension anywhere in the state.

Menawhile, BJP MP Yogi Adityanath and 24 others accompanying him to VHP's rally in Ayodhya, were on Friday arrested at the railway station here as a preventive measure, police said.

The BJP MP from Gorakhpur and others were arrested ahead of Friday's rally, which has been banned by the Uttar Pradesh government, for violating the prohibitory orders, ADM Anjani Kumar Singh said. Adityanath, BJP MP Satyadeo Singh, BJP's regional secretary Surya Narain Tiwari and others arrested have been kept at the Irrigation Department's field hostel here.

With the Muzaffarnagar riots fresh in mind, the Centre has asked the UP government to maintain status quo in Ayodha and prevent any attempt to flare up communal tension anywhere in the state.

The Home Ministry has told the UP authorities to observe status quo in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya as per the Supreme Court directive and not to allow any gathering near the disputed area.

Senior officials of state government are regularly briefing central government officials about the prevailing situation in Ayodhya and gave conveyed that no congregation will be allowed near the site, official sources said.

Adityanath reached Gonda station from New Delhi, from where he was to leave for Ayodhya for the 'Sankalp Diwas' rally, when he was held.

Meanwhile, Faizabad District Magistrate Vipin Kumar Dwivedi said that several persons, violating prohibitory orders, were arrested.

"We have arrested several persons who violated prohibitory orders. We have promulgated a prohibitory order under section 144 CrPC and did not allow sankalp sabha of VHP...they could not reach Ram Sewak Puram and the sabha was not held. Their purpose was not served," he said.

"Those who tried to come on the street violating the prohibitory orders we have arrested them," he added.

The Home Ministry has also told the state government to remain alert across the state and keep the communal situation under check. The Centre has promised despatch of additional forces if required for maintenance of law and order in UP, the sources said.

UP police on Thursday arrested around 340 people, including former BJP MLA Lalu Singh, and put 42 others under house arrest on the eve of the rally. The state government has informed the Centre that so far several hundred activists of VHP have been taken into custody as part of preventive measures.

To prevent VHP activists from attending the rally, three-tier barriers have been put up on Saryu bridge, Faizabad district and Ayodhya, IG (law and order) R.K. Vishwakarma had said on Thursday, and added that 2,000 jawans of RAF, police and PAC have been deployed in the area.

As a precautionary measure, the local administration has set up a temporary jail at the Police Line, the IG had said. More than sixty people lost their lives and thousands were rendered homeless in last month's communal violence in Muzzafarnagar and adjoining areas.

VHP has given a call to observe 'Sankalp Diwas' in Ram Sewak Puram in Ayodhya to take a resolve for launching an agitation for rebuilding the Ram temple in Ayodhya.