Crackdown ahead of padyatra conclusion
With Muzaffarnagar already tense, the state government on Thursday took no chances and began cracking down on Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders to thwart any fresh buildup to the banned chaurasi (84) kos padyatra, that is to conclude at Makhauda in Basti on Friday morning.
Five VHP leaders, including Swami Chinmayanand, Rameshwar Das and Parmatmanand were taken into custody from Lucknow’s Amausi airport. They were on way to Ayodhya. Senior VHP leader Ramvilas Vendanti was also taken into custody in Harraiya town of Basti. Arrests and raids were continuing in other districts of east UP as well. “West UP is already in the grip of communal tension and we would not allow the spark of Muzaffarnagar to spread to other parts of the state by giving a free run to the saffron brigade,” said a senior police officer.
The VHP has planned to conclude the 20-day padyatra, launched on August 25, in Makhauda. Top leaders Ashok Singhal and Parveen Togadia are expected to participate in the programme.
Principal secretary, home, RM Srivastava said the state government had banned the VHP’s chaurasi kos padyatra as this was no time to organise it, which was traditionally organised by the pilgrims visiting Ayodhya between April 25 and May 20. The state government had made it clear that it would not allow a new tradition that created a law and order problem to take place. “The officers have been told to deal with the VHP leaders firmly if they insist on carrying on with the programme at Makhauda,” he said. IG (STF) Ashish Gupta said all roads leading to Makhauda had been barricaded. Along with central paramilitary forces (CPMF), the state government had deployed provincial armed constabulary (PAC). The VHP leaders and volunteers who try to violate the prohibitory orders would be arrested, he said.
Meanwhile, VHP spokesperson Sharad Sharma said the organisation was committed towards successfully completing the padyatra.
“Through the yatra, we intend to mobilize people for the construction of Ram Temple,” he said. A Home department officer said the decision to ban the padyatra was taken in view of the order of the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court directing the state government to stop any activity in the disputed area. The Supreme Court, too, in its order has directed the government to maintain status quo on the disputed area, he said.