Alert in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Ayodhya verdict

JAMMU - Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has appealed to people to maintain peace even as an alert has been sounded across the state ahead of the Allahabad High Court’s verdict on Ayodhya dispute Sep 24, an official statement said Sunday.

Security in the communally sensitive areas of the Jammu region has been beefed up and the law and order agencies have been asked to maintain an “extra vigil” in the run up to the court decision and also on the day of the verdict.

Abdullah asked police officers to ensure that there is no disturbance of any sort and as he also appealed to Hindus and Muslims to maintain peace. He issued the message through a statement released to press.

On Sunday evening, Jammu zone’s Inspector General of Police Ashok Gupta held a meeting of police heads of all the districts and asked them to “maintain law and order and keep vigil in their area in view of impending decision of the high court”.

“The district superintendents of police were asked to impress upon people to play their role in maintenance of peace and order. They were asked to maintain alertness in their areas and keep an eye on ant-social elements,” the statement issued Sunday evening said.