Ayodhya: 52 arrested on last day of VHP's yatra

Ayodhya (UP): Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Friday failed to conclude its banned 84-Kosi Parikrama yatra in Ayodhya, with the authorities mounting tight security arrangements to prevent its activists from performing rituals on the banks of Saryu river. VHP had asked its activists on Friday to perform rituals on the bank of Saryu to mark the conclusion of their yatra, which was banned by the state government. [caption id=“attachment_1108275” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of a VHP protest. AFP[/caption] On the last day of the yatra, 52 people were arrested while trying to move towards the culmination point of the parikrama in Basti. “52 people trying to move towards Makhauda village in Basti, the culmination point of the yatra, were arrested,” IG (Crime) Ashish Gupta told reporters in Ayodhya. Led by Baba Bharatdas, 38 people were arrested at Kakra crossing in Basti, the IG said, adding that 14 BJP workers were arrested in Sarsi while they were on their way to Makhauda village. “During our security flag march, we had warned of dire consequences to anyone who would try to violate the law and order, peace and communal harmony,” Faizabad DM Vipin Kumar Dwivedi said. The IG said there was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere, including Ayodhya, today with security personnel maintaining a constant vigil. VHP had proposed to take out 84-Kosi Parikrama yatra from August 25 to September 13. The yatra was banned by the UP government. PTI