Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Ram, would virtually be turned into a fort as unprecedented security arrangements have been made for 'sawan jhula mela' after intelligence reports of a probable extremist activity during the festival, slated to begin in Ayodhya from August 4.
The police have revamped the security system in the wake of the mela and the entire security system would be handled by the state's Anti-Terrorist Squad, Deputy Inspector General of police, BP Tripathi told PTI.
"We have extended the security radius from Ayodhya city to the adjoining districts of Sultanpur, Barabanki, Ambedkar Nagar and Gonda. ATS has been deployed at all sensitive locations and experts to identify suspected terrorists will be positioned on all the barriers," Tripathi said.
Bomb disposal squad, anti sabotage team and intelligence agencies' officials have also been deployed.
Besides, all the mahants (religious heads of temples) in Ayodhya have been instructed to maintain a record of devotees visiting their temples.
Considering huge inflow of pilgrims in the city during the mela, the disputed Ram Janm Bhoomi shrine has also been cordoned off by the forces. The inner cordon of red zone, which covers the disputed temple, will be manned by heavily armed and well equipped CRPF personnel, while the outer cordon will be guarded by the provincial armed constabulary and the civil police.
Police camps equipped with metal and explosive detectors have been established in the entire city and all sensitive places are being monitored by close circuit TV cameras, SSP of Faizabad R K S Rathore said.
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