A strong security perimeter has been erected around the city, as the state police announced on Sunday, with just a few hours remaining to separate Ayodhya from Lord Ram’s eagerly anticipated return to his birthplace. The Pran Pratishtha ceremony is scheduled for Monday, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conduct the customs surrounding it. A limited number of seers will preside over the ceremony. Prior to the January 22 ceremony, Rapid Action Force (RPF) personnel were stationed at Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, despite the city emanating a joyous atmosphere. Officers stated that the police frequently patrolled the Sarayu River by boat.
At Ayodhya’s Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, dog squad and anti-bomb squad teams were also mobilized as pilgrims and dignitaries began to pour into the temple town. The officials stated that no one was permitted to enter the airport without a pass and that all vehicles entering and departing the airport were subject to extensive inspections. Officials say that in case of emergencies, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has established a camp close to the shrine in Ayodhya.
“Three NDRF teams have been deployed here ahead of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22. The deployment has been done in coordination with the local administration and police,” Manoj Kumar Sharma, the deputy inspector general of police, NDRF told .
“One of our teams has been deployed at the ghats. We are ready to deal with all sorts of contingencies,” he added.
Praveen Kumar, IG, Ayodhya, said that necessary preparations in coordination with the agencies concerned have already been made to ensure watertight security in the city.
“The visitors have already started arriving for the ‘Pran Pratishtha’. We are ensuring close surveillance through drone cameras and human intelligence. All security loopholes are being identified and addressed on priority. We are confident that the mega event on January 22 will pass off without a hitch,” the Ayodhya IG said.
