AYODHYA: On the fifth day of demonstration for the construction of the Ram temple here in a site where a Mosque now exists, 450 persons were arrested Dec 10.
Eleven women were among the arrested “kar Sewaks” (volunteers), who belonged to different parts of northern state of UP and ‘western state of Maharashtra.
‘The arrests were peaceful.
Official sources here said security arrangements near the disputed structure had been further tightened following the recovery of explosives material from its vicinity on Saturday.
A magistrate and a police officer have been put on round the clock duty in the twin towns of Faizabad and Ayodhya.
Meanwhile, a special investigation team has arrived here from Lucknow to examine the explosives material case and interrogate Suresh Kumar, who had been remanded to police custody by the court of the chief judicial magistrate, Faizabad.
About 300 women kar Sewaks were arrested here around Dec 6 while they were proceeding towards the disputed Babri Masjid site.
The women had formed three groups and were arrested since authorities objected to their entry in groups.
A police officer told PTI that the arrested kar sewaks would be sent to jails near their hometowns.
Earlier the volunteers were addressed by Mahant Avaidyanath and Uma Bharati, members of parliament, who urged them to maintain peace and not resist being arrested.
Meanwhile, the situation in the holy town remained peaceful with most shops remaining open and people moving about normally.
However, large contingents of police and para military forces were seen all over the place.
The “satyagraha” (peaceful protest) by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) kar sevaks for the construction of Ram Temple at the controversial site, began with the stated promise of VHP leaders that it would remain peaceful,
In their last minute effort major political parties Dec 5 appealed to the VHP and BJP to cancel their “kar seva” program which was rejected by them.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 14, 1990
