The Kerala Police have upped their vigilance to pre-empt any potential outbreak of violence when the Supreme Court decides the outcome of the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute on Saturday.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and State Police Chief Loknath Behera called on Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and briefed him on the security arrangements.
The police declared prohibitory orders in five police stations in Kasaragod. They are Manjeswaram, Kumbala, Kasaragod, Hosdurg, and Chandera.
Mr. Behera spoke to District Police Chiefs on videoconference link and stressed the need to uphold the peace. He also authorised preventive detention of anti-socials and accused involved in cases registered in connection with sowing discord among communities. The police have also brought the cadres and leaders of radical organisations of all religious hues under their surveillance.
The police have warned against any attempt to stoke communal passions or spread divisive propaganda on the Internet. In a communique to the public, the police said they had upped their monitoring of the social media.
They have intensified night patrolling and posted armed pockets in areas, which had a history of communal discord.
Plainclothes officers were deployed in strength alongside anti-sabotage squads at places where public gather in large numbers, including bus terminals, railway stations, and airports.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appealed to the people to accept the verdict with equanimity.
Mr. Vijayan said the verdict should not be the cause for any communal discord. It should not give rise to hate propaganda.
Kerala should uphold its history of tolerance, and its people should accept the apex court decision with due solemnity and composure.
