UP: VHP keen on Ayodhya yatra despite ban, security beefed up

Ayodhya: Security has been stepped up in the temple city of Ayodhya and the neighbouring Faizabad town after Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) announced a 300 km parikrama. VHP members made it clear that the yatra will happen on Thursday in spite of the ban by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Police forces took out a flag march on Wednesday to demonstrate their presence. Additional paramilitary forces have been deployed. Some of the six districts that have imposed section 144 prohibiting public gatherings fall in the yatra route.

The Akhilesh Yadav government had banned the VHP yatra, which was to have started on August 25, saying it would disturb communal harmony in the state.