Chavan urges peace ahead of Ayodhya verdict

MUMBAI - Urging people to maintain peace and calm after the Ayodhya verdict Sep 30, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan Tuesday said tight security measures enforced in the state last week would continue.

“We are maintaining alert and all precautionary measures have been taken to maintain peace in the state,” Chavan said in Nagpur.

Chavan urged people to refrain from either open celebrations or strong protests after the verdict by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high Court.

Making a similar appeal, state Home Minister R.R. Patil said that eight battalions of central paramilitary forces, which had come here to assist the state police during the recently-concluded Ganeshotsav festivities, would continue to be deployed here till further orders.

“We have alerted the police forces and adequate security personnel have been deployed across the state. We would like to impress upon the people that the high court verdict is just a step in the judicial process and not the final verdict. People who are not satisfied with it can challenge it further in the Supreme Court,” Patil told mediapersons in the evening.

Recalling the days after the razing of the disputed Babri Mosque Dec 6, 1992, Patil said that the state, particularly Mumbai, had witnessed massive damage to life and property during riots that followed.

Patil warned that all anti-social elements against whom cases have been registered shall be under strict watch of the police.

The Union Home Ministry has already identified at least 32 sensitive cities or towns across the country that have a potential to evoke sharp reactions after the verdict and has directed all concerned states to be extra vigilant.

As part of the confidence building measures initiated by the state government, Patil has held meetings with religious leaders of various communities in view of the court verdict.