Maharashtra doesn't want a revival of '92; gears up for verdict day

Ahead of the crucial Allahabad high court verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjd dispute, the Maharashtra home department is gearing to maintain peace among the two communities in Mumbai and adjoining areas.

Following the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Mumbai was engulfed in communal violence that was stretched for two months.

State Home Minister R R Patil is trying to ensure that 1992-93 scenario is not repeated again. The police force will be at its maximum as the department has put a temporary imbroglio on leave and the state reserve police force has been put on alert to be deployed at short notice.

The police have identified over two dozen sensitive spots in Mumbai and adjoining areas. In Mumbai Pydhonie, Dongri and Bandra have been identified.

While Rabodi and Bhiwandi in adjoining Thane have been identified. Anti social elements from the both the communities have been rounded up as a preventive measure. Detained persons include activists from the Sangh Parivar, who have been proactive on the Ramjanma Bhoomi issue.

As the date for the verdict was known in advance, the home department had issued directives to the director general of police to develop strategies that would aid in maintaining peace in the city and state as a whole.

The city that holds the distinction of being the financial capital, witnessed its last communal riots in 1992-93 in which over 1000 were killed.

Since then population from both the communities have reoriented themselves from cosmopolitan areas to safety of places where they would be in a majority.

Many places in Mumbai still exist that has significant mixture of population from both the communities and also have had past histories of disharmony.

The police have been targeting such areas by conducting mohalla committee meetings.

Mohalla, which means neighbourhood, have committees in which there are prominent people from both the communities. The concept has been mooted after the 1992-93 riots.

The police have been conducting mohalla committee for generating a consensus among both the community members not to burst crackers, take out processions and or celebrate the verdict in any manner.