PM appeals for peace, asks people to guard against rumours (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday appealed to people to maintain peace and tranquility and to show respect for all religions and religious beliefs in the highest traditions of Indian culture.

In a statement, he also asked people to be vigilant and not let disruptive elements succeed in disrupting peace and harmony following the Allahabad High Court ruling Thursday that the spot in Ayodhya where a makeshift temple was built after razing the Babri mosque in 1992 was indeed where Hindu god Ram was born.

You should be particularly careful with regard to rumours that disruptive elements could propagate to create ill-will between communities, he said.

My appeal to all sections of the people is to maintain peace and tranquility and to show respect for all religions and religious beliefs in the highest traditions of Indian culture, he added.

I have full faith in the people of India. I also have full confidence in the traditions of secularism, brotherhood and tolerance of our great country, he said.

I know that often it is only a few mischief makers who create divisions in our society, he added.

By a majority decision, the Lucknow bench of the high court also ruled that the land around the disputed site should be divided into three parts — one going to Hindus, another to Muslims and the third to Nirmohi Akhara, a Hindu sect and a litigant in the case.