By IANS,
Lucknow : Ahead of the judgment in the Ayodhya case due Sep 24, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Monday criticised the central government for its “apathy” in providing the state the security forces needed in case of any trouble after the verdict.
While reviewing the law and order situation in the state here, she told the high level meeting held at her official residencehow she had been repeatedly seeking assistance of the central government ever since the high court declared its decision to deliver the much awaited verdict some two months back.
“Since then the state government was making special efforts to maintain law and order besides taking all possible measures to ensure that the communal forces would not be able to disturb the law and order. We also made it a point to keep the centre duly posted of the prevailing situation in the state,” she said.
Mayawati lamented the fact that as against the state’s demand and requirement of 642 companies (one company comprising about 80 men) of para-military forces, the central government had agreed to eventually provide just 52 companies, which she described as “grossly inadequate.”
“While the initial demand on Aug 6 was made for 458 companies, the demand for an additional 143 companies was made on Sep 1 last to specifically protect the disputed site at Ayodhya. Besides, 29 companies were sought to ensure fool-proof security high court premises, both in Lucknow and in Allahabad, followed by yet another letter dated Sep 6 for 12 companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF),” she said.
According to an official spokesman, the chief minister stressed the need to take a tough stand against mischief-mongers. Directing officials to remain on a round-the-clock alert, she also made it a point to highlight the need for keeping a tab on rumour-mongering, which was “equally dangerous”.
Mayawati also reviewed the security of important religious, social and historical places, that were already on a high alert.
She also appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace and cautioned them to watch out for mischievous elements.