Security beefed up ahead of Babri Mosque verdict

Indian Muslims and Hindus along with the police take a pledge during a peace rally with the slogan of "Hindu-Muslim Bhai-Bhai" (Hindu-Muslim brother-brother) in Hyderabad yesterday, on the eve of the verdict for a religious dispute with a history of deadly communal violence. Today the High Court in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh will rule on who owns the site of the 16th century Babri mosque in Ayodhya, which was razed by Hindu fanatics in 1992.Photo: AFP

India has deployed military aircraft and rushed additional paramilitary and police personnel to sensitive locations across the country as part of security preparedness to tackle possible violence after a court verdict today on the disputed Ayodhya land.
The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court set to deliver its verdict this afternoon on the title suits on land where Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992 and which is claimed by Hindus as the birthplace of Lord Rama.
The demolition of the mosque had sparked widespread communal violence across India, leaving hundreds of people dead.
The government has identified 16 communally sensitive locations where communal violence could break out.
It has deployed medium and heavy transport aircraft of Indian Air Force at eight airports close to these sensitive locations so that security forces could be moved within ten minutes in case of trouble.
The federal government has asked authorities in states to steep up security and deal firmly with all attempts to create communal disturbances.
What has caused concern in Indian establishment is the timing of the high court judgement just three days before the start of the Commonwealth Games here. Any major incident on the eve of the Games can not only draw wide international criticism but dent India's image as a safe sports destination.
However, authorities expect that one of the parties to the title suit is certain to move the Supreme Court against the High Court order and a stay is likely to follow within hours of the high court judgement, which is likely to defuse communal tension.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony irrespective of the way in which the high court verdict goes.
“I think whatever be the nature of judgement, I think everyone should make every effort to maintain peace, harmony and tranquillity in the country”, Singh told reporters in a function at his official residence here.