Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Vicky Nanjappa in Lucknow
The people of Lucknow appear to be relieved following the postponement of the verdict in the Ayodhya case, but the local administration is taking no chances and continues to maintain a tight vigil in and around the city.
Although there will be no verdict in view of the Supreme Court stay, security has not been altered in the high court, as the matter will come up for a mention before the special bench on Friday.
The cause list of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court continues to show the matter as listed. It states that the matter will come up at 3.30 pm.
However, legal experts say that it is a practise that the matter continues to be listed and the parties to the suit who have argued before the Supreme Court will have to inform the bench about the apex court's stay order.
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No verdict, but Ayodhya stays alert
Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
The high court continues to be kept out of bounds for the media and there are 140 sub inspectors, 800 constables, 200 reserve police force and 104 head constables who are guarding the building.
Based on intelligence reports that there could be infiltration attempts aimed at creating problems, the government has sealed the Nepal border.
According to the IB, some neighbouring countries are closely monitoring the situation in Lucknow and are planning on add fuel to the fire by coaxing the people into creating violence.
No verdict, but Ayodhya stays alert
Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
The state has also issued prohibitory orders in sensitive places such as Ayodhya and Varnasi.
All movements of the general public is being checked in these parts of the state and preventive arrests of anti social elements continue to be carried out.
The state police say that although the verdict has been deferred there could be some elements who could incite violence and such a drive is being carried out.
No verdict, but Ayodhya stays alert
Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
This situation will continue for another week at least and the extension of vigil will depend on what the Supreme Court would have to say on September 28.
The leave of all district administration staff, including doctors at hospitals, has been cancelled until further orders.
On the administrative front, six additional district magistrates and 20 SDMs have been posted in Lucknow, while an ADM and 15 SDMs have been posted in Allahabad to keep an eye on the situation.
No verdict, but Ayodhya stays alert
Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
The security forces had already staged flag marches in all the sensitive places and districts, including Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura, in the state and prohibitory orders had been issued, sources said.
Police carried out an extensive checking drive at cyber cafes, shopping malls, public places, hotels and guesthouses in Lucknow to check movement of anti-social elements.
Hospitals and para-medical staff have been put on alert and the government doctors have been directed not to leave their headquarters.
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