Himalayan News Service

Lucknow, June 17:

The Uttar Pradesh government is considering reducing security in and around the temple town of Ayodhya for the first time since the demolition of the Babri mosque in 1992. This follows a review by state Director General of Police Yashpal Singh Thursday during a daylong visit to the town. “A delegation of traders and citizens from Ayodhya had met me recently to complain about unnecessary security that affected inflow of pilgrims and tourists in the temple town. So I decided to personally take stock of the situation,” Singh said here. He said he agreed with the assessment that “the number of paramilitary security personnel deployed in Ayodhya were more than required”. “I will recommend reduction in their strength,” Singh said. However, the final decision on the security arrangements would be taken by a high level committee, including some officials of central agencies, he clarified.