Security beefed up in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR - Police forces were deployed in sensitive areas of Orissa Thursday ahead of the Allahabad High Court verdict in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, which was slated to be delivered Friday an official said.

The Supreme Court Thursday deferred by a week the pronouncement of the Ayodhya verdict. The apex court also issued notices to all the parties to the title suit and asked the attorney general to be present when it takes up the case Sep 28.

Earllier in the day, forces were deployed and security beefed up in some identified pockets of the state.

“We have asked all the district collectors and superintendents of police (SP) to remain alert,” Home Secretary U.N. Behera told IANS here.

“We have also issued instructions, asking them to deal firmly with any untoward incident,” he said.

The demolition of the 16th century Babri Masjid Dec 6, 1992, by Hindu radicals, who believed that the mosque was built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, had triggered nationwide riots.