The Uttar Pradesh government has arrested more than 1,500 VHP activists in different parts of the state who were trying to reach the temple city of Ayodhya on the occasion of the Sankalp Diwas today. Most of the arrests have been made in Ayodhya itself. The VHP had announced the go ahead for its proposed 'Sankalp Diwas' in Ayodhya today despite the state government ban.
Heavy security arrangements are in place in the temple city. The VHP had 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. The Faizabad DM said that the situation is totally under control and nobody will be allowed to participate in the banned Sankalp Diwas.
Our correspondent reports that the state administration seems determined to make the VHP's Sankalp Diwas, a no-show like the outfit's earlier programmes of Chaurasi Kosi and Panch Kosi Yatra within last two months. The police has arrested BJP MP Yogi Adityanath today from Gonda with his supporters while he was trying to proceed to Ayodhya. Nearly 1200 VHP activists have been taken into custody from Karsevak Puram, Digambar Akhara and Hanuman Garhi of Ayodhya. Meanwhile IG Lucknow Subhash Chandra is camping in the temple city to closely monitor the situation.
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 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.
According to official sources, senior officials of state government are regularly briefing central government officials about the prevailing situation in Ayodhya and have conveyed that no congregation will be allowed near the site.
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.
