75 arrested as Ayodhya march concludes

At least 75 people were arrested and four dozens detained Friday in Uttar Pradesh as the VHP's Ayodhya march concluded, officials said.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists said despite the state government's ban, the "84 kosi parikrama yatra" of the Hindu saints, launched Aug 25, continued over the last 20 days and concluded in Makauda.

The boundaries of Gonda and Basti areas were sealed late Thursday to prevent the entry of VHP leaders.

The divisional commissioner and inspector general police inspected the areas Thursday and three companies of the Rapid Action Force and the Central Reserve Police Force were deployed.

Meanwhile, people complained of being harassed by police and said that owing to the clamp-down they were forced to take difficult alternative routes to approach Lucknow, Azamgarh, Faizabad and Gorakhpur.

VHP general secretary Sampat Rai told IANS that the restrictions were imposed to appease a particular community.

--Indo-Asian news Service

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