Mayawati says Centre should now take responsibility of Ayodhya site’s security

LUCKNOW - Following the pronouncement of verdict in the Ramjanambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit on Thursday by the Allahabad court, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said now the responsibility of ensuring security of the Ayodhya site lies with the Central Government.

“I have written a letter to the prime minister immediately after the judgment,” she told reporters in Lucknow after the Allahabad High Court ruled in favour of a temple at the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi site.

Mayawati said the central government should now accept the responsibility for the security of the Ayodhya site and the 66 acres acquired by it.

She said the Ayodhya land was acquired by Central Government in a Parliament act and the Centre was legally responsible for the entire security at the Ayodhya site.

She alleged that the Central Government did not offer proper security to the state.

Mayawati also said that in case of any land and order problem the Central government would be responsible for the matter.

She informed that the state government has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on implementation of the High Court order.

“I am sorry to say Central Government always neglected us. They never offered us any help,” she said.

“Out of 52 companies 18 companies deputed to High Court security and 12 to Ayodhya. So we got only 19 companies for law and order. We asked for 642 companies for population of 20 crores but we got only 52,” Mayawati said.

Appealing to the people to maintain communal harmony and peace, Mayawati said, “The court ruling should be respected by all sections.”

Mayawati, however, said that the state government was committed for the safety and security of all and it would take action against those who tried to spoil the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, helicopters with powerful searchlights were pressed into service to tighten security in Ayodhya.

The authorities also ensured that Ayodhya was completely sealed within seconds if any untoward incident breaks out in any part of the country and has the possibility of spilling over to Uttar Pradesh.

On the ground, the authorities put up barricades at every road coming into Ayodhya and Faizabad. Vehicles were allowed to pass after a thorough search at every barricade. (ANI)