Rosaiah calls all-party meet ahead of Babri verdict

HYDERABAD - With the Allahbad High Court set to pronounce its verdict in the Babri Masjid title suit and the Ganesh immersion slated for next week, Andhra Pradesh is making all out efforts for foolproof security.

Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who reviewed the law and order situation with top officials Thursday, has called an all-party meeting on Saturday.

The chief minister’s office has sent letters to leaders of all political parties, as also to religious leaders, inviting them for the meeting. He is expected to seek the cooperation of all in maintaining peace and communal harmony.

Rosaiah reviewed the situation with home minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy and top officials, including the chief secretary, the home secretary, the director general of police and the police commissioner of Hyderabad.

Official sources said the chief minister asked the officials to make all efforts to ensure peace in the state capital and the rest of the state.

The meeting was held a day after a delegation of Muslim leaders called on the chief minister and urged him to take all steps to maintain peace on Sep 17, 22 and 24.

The Muslim Joint Action Committee and the United Muslim Forum, comprising various Muslim groups, said there was a need to maintain tight vigil in view of apprehensions that some elements could try to create law and order problems on the three days.

The BJP, ABVP and some other groups have called for observing Sep 17 as Telangana Liberation Day to mark the anniversary of the accession of Hyderabad state to the Indian union. Muslim organizations have opposed the idea on the ground that excesses were committed on Muslims during the military action to force Hyderabad state to merge with India.

The Muslim leaders also sought adequate security during the Ganesh immersion procession on Sep 22. They also voiced their concern over the reported plans by some outfits to create trouble after the Sep 24 court verdict in the Ayodhya case.