Security tightened in Uttar Pradesh ahead of Babri Masjid verdict

Lucknow, Sep 23 (ANI): Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Uttar Pradesh ahead of Friday's verdict on the Babri Masjid Ayodhya title case.

Over 100'000 security personnel will police every corner of Ayodhya, Faizabad, Lucknow and 19 other sensitive areas in the state.

Chief Minister Mayawati has asked law enforcement agencies to adopt a zero tolerance approach towards anyone trying to breach peace and communal harmony during and after the court verdict.

Entry into the premises of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, where the verdict will be delivered, has been restricted. The registrar of the court has asked lawyers who don't have a case on the 24th not to come to the court.

Security for the three judges who will read out the verdict has also been doubled.

The intelligence, crime branch and all other security agencies have also been asked to be on alert.

The state administration has also installed close circuit television cameras at important intersections in the city.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has asked governments in all states to be on high alert.

"The Central Government has also taken a number of measures to assist the State Governments. No one needs to have any apprehension, and if everyone realises his/her obligations to society, we can, working together, ensure that there is peace, order and harmony," he said on Wednesday.

Appealing to all parties to the suit, public and media not to comment on the complicated issue, he said it is possible that there will be one or more judgements delivered by the three-judge special bench.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has issued orders to all mobile telecom services providers in the country banning bulk SMS and MMS in all service areas for the next 72 hours.

The order has been issued in consultation with the Home Ministry. (ANI)