The Centre has asked all States, particularly sensitive Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka, to give “top most priority” in beefing up security to deal with any law and order problem that may arise after the court verdict on Ayodhya title suits on Friday.
The Home Ministry has identified 32 sensitive locations across the country — four of them in Uttar Pradesh — where there is a potential to “evoke sharp reactions” following the verdict and asked concerned States to be fully alert there.
Against the demand of 63,000 paramilitary personnel to deal with any situation arising out of the Allahabad High Court verdict, the Central government will provide 5,200 armed guard, including Rapid Action Force, to Uttar Pradesh — a decision the State government termed as “insufficient“.
The Centre is keeping ready paramilitary forces at a few strategic locations, closer to airports, for immediate deployment in the places of trouble anywhere in the country.
The Home Ministry has already prepared a contingency plan to deal with any situation arising out of the court judgement.
In an advisory, the Home Ministry has asked all States and Union Territories to give “topmost priority” to maintaining law and order as the judgment has the potential to “evoke sharp reactions“.
In its communication, the Ministry also informed States and Union Territories of the activities of various religious groups which have already announced countrywide mass mobilisation and awareness campaign in view of the forthcoming court verdict.
Maintaining that the court verdict “is likely to evoke sharp reactions and communal passions among both Hindus and Muslims depending on the way the judgment goes,” the Ministry has asked States and UTs to keep a close watch on activities of religious bodies of both the communities in the run-up to the judgment.
