The Uttar Pradesh Government says that tight security arrangements would continue to check those trying to attend the 84 Kosi Parikrama Yatra. Inspector General Law and Order R. K. Vishwakarma told mediapersons that about 1700 persons have so far been arrested which include VHP leaders – Ashok Singhal and Praveen Togadia.

The Yatra has already been banned by the State Government which says that it will not allow to set any new tradition. A Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition against the ban. The proposed chaurasi kosi parikrama by Vishwa Hindu Parishad could not start today.

Home Secretary Kamal Saxena said no untoward incident from anywhere in the State has been reported. He said that besides the state Police force 11 companies of RAF and 12 companies of CRPF have been deployed in the State to maintain law and order.

Our Lucknow correspondent reports that the showdown between the saints under VHP banner and the administration was by and large peaceful The barricading of Ayodhya and Faizabad will continue till the movement subsides, said the government.

BJP today condemned UP government's crackdown against VHP yatra from Ayodhya. The party accused the UP government of playing vote bank politics. Condemning the arrest of Ashok Singhal, Praveen Togadia and other leaders, BJP said the UP government should not have interfered with the yatra.

Ruling Samjwadi Party said it would not let the state become another Gujarat or a repeat of December 6, 1992 incident. Senior minister Azam Khan termed the yatra as an attempt to spoil the atmosphere of the state with an eye on the 2014 elections.

Talking to media persons at Etah today, the external affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said the decision to ban the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's 84 Kosi yatra has been taken by the Uttar Pradesh government and the Congress has nothing to do with it.

Opposing VHP's yatra from Ayodhya, the ruling JD(U) in Bihar today said no politics should be played in places of worship.