The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which has safeguarded the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid complex since the demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992, will undergo a phased withdrawal.
A senior government official announced on Tuesday that a dedicated special task force of the Uttar Pradesh Police will be responsible for ensuring comprehensive security for the upcoming Ram temple complex in Ayodhya. The expansive temple, spanning 70 acres, is set to open to the public following the consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22.
The specialised task force from the UP Police will secure various aspects of the temple premises, including the primary complex constructed in the traditional Nagara architectural style. This main structure will measure 380 feet in length (east-west direction), 250 feet in width, and stand at a height of 161 feet.
The CRPF played a crucial role in thwarting a terrorist attack on July 5, 2005, at the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid, resulting in the elimination of five militants.
The historic verdict delivered by the Supreme Court in 2019 resolved a century-old temple-mosque dispute. The court supported the construction of the Ram temple at the contested site and mandated finding an alternative five-acre plot for constructing a mosque.
Home minister G Parameshwara refuses to suspend the police inspector who arrested kar sevak Srikanth Poojari in connection with a 31-year-old case related to the Ram Janmabhoomi agitation. The BJP demands immediate release of the kar sevak and suspension of the police inspector, but Parameshwara defends the inspector’s actions, stating that he has done his duty. The arrest comes ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya, but the home minister dismisses BJP’s claims, accusing them of blowing it up for political reasons.
Let the BJP protest. If they think there should not be law and order in the state, let them continue the protest,” Parmeshwara said, while reacting to BJP’s demand for the immediate release of the kar sevak and suspension of the police inspector who made his
“Barring the fact that the arrest has been made ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya, police have not done anything against the law. BJP is unnecessarily blowing it up for political reasons. We can’t tolerate the politics of BJP. Let BJP protest and we will do what is required,” Parameshwara added.
Asked about the officer being sent on compulsory leave, Parameshwara stated that the officer is not sent on compulsory leave. “He has gone on leave for two days since January 2 and will take charge after returning and carry out his duties,” he said.
Commenting on the “I am kar sevak, arrest me” campaign by BJP leaders in the state, Parameshwara said, “Let them do what they want, we will do our job.”
Earlier, speculation was rife that home ministry had sent police Inspector Mohammad Rafeeq, who arrested the kar sevak in Hubballi on compulsory leave. Rafeeq, attached to Hubballi Town police station, had arrested Srikanth Poojari on December 29. Poojari was sent to judicial custody and sources said a special team was also formed to reopen the pending cases lodged during the Ayodhya Rath Yatra.
The Karnataka BJP, which had staged a statewide protest on Wednesday, continued to step up pressure on the government by launching the “I’m also a kar sevak, arrest me too’ campaign on Thursday. Leading the campaign in Bengaluru, MLA and former minister V Sunil Kumar staged a sit-in near the Sadashiv Nagar police station, amid chants of “Jai Sri Ram” by BJP workers.