Centre warns Maharashtra about security threat on Sept 24

The state government has been asked by the Union home ministry to scale up security in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, ahead of the Allahabad high court verdict on the Ayodhya title suit next Friday.

Highly-placed sources in the state cabinet told DNA that “the state government has received some information about a possible strike which could lead to communal tension”. Union home minister P Chidambaram has asked the state government to take adequate steps to tackle the situation ahead, the source said.

Chief minister Ashok Chavan on Sunday held a meeting with cabinet ministers and police officers, and it was decided to hold a series of meetings between Hindu and Muslim groups, to create a sense of cooperation. Also, in all the districts across the state, politicians have been asked to revive the mohalla committees to keep a close watch on the situation on the ground. The administration has been asked to plug shortcomings in its disaster management cells.

The state plans to hold discussions with mobile service providers to find out if they can take precautionary steps to block sensitive and provocative messages in bulk which could be the handiwork of ‘trouble-making’ groups.

Communication being the key, the government will urge the media to impose self-censorship by not repeatedly showing the file photographs or videos of communal violence in Mumbai in 1992-93 after the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

According to a senior home ministry official, “A large number of people from the minority community will be at mosques on Friday to offer prayers. As the verdict comes on Friday afternoon, we have to ensure additional security at places of worship.”

The chief minister will also appeal to all political parties to lend a helping hand to ensure there is no law and order problem. Once the verdict is out, the government knows angry reactions by politicians could contribute to the tension.

According to BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde, “Party leaders and office bearers have been asked to park themselves in their respective constituencies and headquarters. We will be monitoring the situation and ensure there is no violence.”

Meanwhile, right-wing parties admit, “Either way someone is bound to be hurt by the verdict and knock the doors of the Supreme Court,” even as Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) general secretary Venkatesh Abdeo said that the party was “happy that the verdict on the 60-year-old case was going to be delivered”.