Ayodhya security net to get wider

More land is likely to be acquired around the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya to strengthen security in order to reduce the chances...

More land is likely to be acquired around the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya to strengthen security in order to reduce the chances of a repeat of the July 5 attack.

Five terrorists had managed to reach within striking distance of the makeshift temple that day before being shot dead.

At present there is a three-tier security set-up mounted on 68 acres around the makeshift temple.

The land was acquired by the Centre after the December 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid.

There is a move afoot now to acquire some houses near the disputed site and land adjacent to it in order to beef up security.

Confirming this, Faizabad SSP Avinash Chandra said security checks would also be intensified at all Ayodhya entry points.

Meanwhile, a Special Task Force team is in Punjab to probe if the dead terrorists had any links with terrorist outfits in that state.

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Many Task Force officers, including a few ASPs, are in Punjab to investigate if the Lashkar-e-Toiba had a tie-up with the Babbar Khalsa. No links have emerged so far.

Director-General of Police Yashpal Singh said two dozen men have been rounded up for questioning, but added that it was too early to arrive at conclusions.

Strengthening security around the disputed site has assumed significance in the light of a visit by the special committee on Ayodhya to Faizabad on Saturday. The panel, which includes senior state police and administrative officials as well as representatives of central security agencies, will be holding a security review meeting.

8220;According to the standing instructions of the Government of India, a security review meeting is to be held every three months, but after the July 5 incident, Saturday8217;s meeting has assumed importance considering that some concrete steps are likely to be taken for strengthening Ayodhya security,8221; IG, Lucknow Zone, O P Tripathi said.

CRPF men promoted

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New Delhi: Thirty-two CRPF personnel who foiled terrorists8217; plan to storm the makeshift temple in Ayodhya were on Thursday given out-of-turn promotion for their 8220;gallant action and outstanding services8221;. These include one sub-inspector, eight head constables and 23 constables.