Ayodhya may get a bullet-proof cover

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court may consider next week the Centre's request for permission to construct a 'bullet proof' cover around the protected religious structures including the Ram temple at Ayodhya to preempt any July-type terrorist attack on pilgrims.

A bench headed by Justice K G Balakrsishnan that is seized with issues relating to protected monuments and religious structures will take up the Union Home Ministry's May 23 application. The Home Ministry wants the bullet proof cover for the idols at the makeshift Ram temple at Ayodhya as part of efforts to strengthen security at the disputed site.

In 1992, the apex court had prohibited any construction activity including demolition around or at the then intact twin structures at Ayodhya. But it was demolished soon.

The petition, seeking contempt against the then BJP-ruled UP government and many senior leaders of the 'parivar', has been pending for about 14 years now.

Alarmed at the July 2005 security lapse that allowed terrorists to indiscriminately attack the devotees killing many and injuring more, the Home Ministry decided to install 'high-tech surveillance equipment' in Ayodhya, the temple complexes in Mathura and Varanasi and the Taj Mahal. It would spend Rs 19.91crore on these installations.

A senior government counsel said the Centre's application is armed with the recommendations of an expert committee jointly set up by the Centre and the Mulayam Singh government that reviewed security arrangements at Ayodhya and the other three places.