Goa CM Parrikar lends support to VHP's yatra, says 'there was no law and order issue'

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday backed the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra', saying the Samajwadi Party (SP) Government should have come into picture only if there was any law and order issue.

"The government should not come into picture unless there is a law and order issue. I don't think there was any law and order issue. Just by going to Ayodhya doesn't make any difference. At the most, you could have kept the security tight in Ayodhya," he said, while emphasizing that people of all religions should have the religious freedom.

VHP chief Ashok Singhal was earlier this morning detained at the Lucknow airport to prevent him from driving on to Ayodhya.

Clamping down on the proposed yatra, the Uttar Pradesh Government also arrested senior VHP leader Praveen Togadia earlier this morning after he defied prohibitory orders. Togadia was arrested from Gola ghat in Ayodhya.

Setting the stage for a confrontation with the Uttar Pradesh Government, the VHP inaugurated its 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra' from Ayodhya today, amidst a massive crackdown launched by the administration, in which over 500 people have been arrested.

Ayodhya has been turned into a fortress to prevent any unwanted entry. Sources say that scores of VHP activists have been arrested from Chandauli, Faizabad, Sant Kabir Nagar and other places.

There is no public involvement in this Yatra as most of the people chose to remain indoors, especially in the Yatra affected six districts.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had earlier on Saturday dismissed a plea for allowing the 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra', stating that there is a possibility of tension, and added that the restriction will be maintained.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has vowed to kick off its 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama' around Ayodhya to revive its demand for a Ram temple.

The Samajwadi Party Government has banned the proposed Yatra, as a preemptive measure against communal flare-up, and put in place elaborate security arrangements by rushing in 10 companies of the Rapid Action Force (RSF) and 12 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC).