Security beefed up in Ayodhya, Faizabad

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedural Code has been imposed in Ayodhya in view of the Bharatiya Janata Party- Vishwa Hindu Parishad sponsored bandh protesting against the terrorist attack on Ram Janambhoomi complex.

Imposition of Sec 144 means not more than five people can assemble in a public place.

The BJP-VHP's bandh call evoked mixed response as some shops and business establishments remained closed while a majority of schools and colleges, government offices, banks were open although attendance was thin, sources said.

The influx of devotees to various temples remained unaffected and a large number of people paid obeisance at important temples.

'Darshan' at the makeshift 'Ramlalla' temple, which had been stopped on Tuesday afternoon in the wake of the attack, was resumed on Wednesday morning and a large number of devotees were seen at the main entrance point.

The barricade, which had collapsed after the terrorists triggered a blast in their vehicle, has been re-erected and additional security deployed in and around the complex, sources said.

A high degree of alert is being maintained and security at sensitive places in the two towns has also been strengthened, they said.