Verdict deferred,security to stay for now

The state government has received 52 companies of paramilitary forces,including Rapid Action Force and the CRPF,from the Centre ahead of the Ayodhya verdict. The DGP Headquarters had also spared 150 PAC companies for deployment in sensitive districts.

“Deployment of personnel,other security arrangements and the directives issued earlier will remain the same,” said state DGP Karamvir Singh.

Asked about the cost being borne by the state government on deployment,transportation of forces and other expenses,a senior official at the DGP Headquarters said: “The paramilitary forces bear their own expenses. We merely provide accommodation and transportation to the forces,as they already get travelling and dearness allowances from the Centre.”

He added that additional forces around the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court,the High Court and Faizabad will be deputed on the day of the verdict.

The state police will bear the expenses being incurred on private vehicles hired in the districts of 14 police ranges — Lucknow,Faizabad,Devipatan,Gorakhpur,Azamgarh,Meerut,Saharanpur,Bareilly,Moradabad,Agra,Aligarh,Allahabad,Kanpur and Varanasi. The Regional Transport Offices have arranged for light and heavy vehicles,including Tata Sumos,Boleros and buses,the official said.

Asked about the rate the government is paying the transporters,a Home department official said that besides fuel,the rate for jeeps is Rs 800 and Rs 1,200 for buses per day. Last month,districts like Lucknow,Meerut,Aligarh,Varanasi and Bareilly had each hired over 100 such vehicles.