A day after putting all the States on alert as the day of judgment in the Ayodhya title suits draws near, the Centre said on Tuesday that security forces had been mobilised at 16 strategic locations nationwide for swift deployment, if needed.
In an advisory to all the States, especially Uttar Pradesh, the Union Home Ministry asked them to heighten vigil in communally sensitive districts.
On Tuesday, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram took stock of the security situation. He also visited the Home Ministry's control room and integrated operations centre and reviewed their functioning.
The Home Ministry has identified 32 sensitive locations across the country, including four in Uttar Pradesh, where there is a potential for “sharp reactions” after the verdict.
The Ministry has kept paramilitary forces ready at 16 locations, closer to airports, for immediate deployment anywhere in the country. Sources in the Ministry said AN 32 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were kept ready at eight of the 16 locations that include Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Bagdogra and Delhi.
The Home Ministry has prepared a contingency plan to deal with any situation arising out of the judgment which will be delivered on Thursday.
Advisory
In its advisory, the Ministry has asked all the States, especially Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala and the Union Territories to give “top priority” to law and order. The communication informed the States and the Union Territories about the activities of various religious groups that have announced campaigns.
The Ministry has asked them to mount a close watch on the activities of religious bodies in the run-up to the judgment.
