Tight security for Ram Navmi mela in Ayodhya

Unbreakable security measures are being made for the famous Ram Navmi mela commencing on April 6 in Ayodhya.

The ten-day mela, in which lakhs of devotees are expected to attend, would mark its end on April 16, sources said.

Superintendent of Police Gopesh Nath Khanna told UNI that the mela has been divided into six zones and 24 sectors, so that stringent security cover can be provided.

Taking note of the terrorists' attacks on July 5, 2005 and November 2006 in Ayodhaya and Faizabad respectively, the security personnel deployed at the mela precincts would be provided with photo identity cards this time. Besides, the identity cards would carry the signature of the authorised mela officer.

The SP further said that seven additional SP, 27 Deputy SP, six inspectors, 135 sub-inspectors, 65 head constables, 555 constables, 650 home guards, five traffic sub-inspectors, 12 company PAC and two company RAF have been demanded by the government.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Abhay Kumar Prasad will visit Ayodhya on Thursday to take stock of the situation, sources said.

Necessary security arrangements were also being made in the city's famous temples like Hanumangarhi, Kanak Bhavan, Nageshvarnath and Balmiki Ramayan.