Over 3,500 security personnel, 5,000 CCTV installed to vigil PM's security during Ayodhya ceremony

The security arrangements for the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya on August 5 have been put in place and people are being requested to refrain from gathering at a place. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to join the mega event, more than 3,500 security personnel and 5,000 CCTV cameras are installed in Ayodhya.

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh):With central intelligence agencies alerting the state police about possible attempts by terror groups to disrupt and sabotage the 'bhumi pujan' ceremony of Ram temple by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ayodhya next week, all law enforcing agencies in Uttar Pradesh have been put on high alert.

According to official sources, security arrangements will be at an all-time high for the 'bhumi pujan' ceremony which, incidentally, coincides with the first anniversary of abrogation of Article 370. The security alert will remain in place till August 15, Independence Day.

Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several top BJP leaders including L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and many other leaders of the RSS are also expected to be present in the program which will also be marked by the presence of top industrialists and bureaucrats from the country.

The area from the Saket Mahavidyalaya, where the Prime Minister chopper will land, to the Ram Janmabhoomi site, has already been cordoned off and residents of Ramkot locality have been issued passes for commuting.

Regular security drills are being carried out and door-to-door checking is also being done.

A senior official in Ayodhya said that as many as 3,500 security personnel will be deployed and more than 500 on all rooftops and drone cameras will monitor the movement in the area. Moreover, over 5,000 CCTV cameras are installed in order to make the security arrangements more vigilant.

Verification of all hotels, lodges, guesthouses is underway and the entry points to the holy city are being sealed.

The Ayodhya SSP Deepak Kumar said that planned route diversions have been made at 12 places to ease traffic movement.

"Security arrangements for foundation stone laying ceremony of Ram Temple on August 5 in place. COVID-19 protocols will be followed. Requesting everyone to not let more than five people gather at a place. Also planned route diversions at 12 places to ease traffic movement," said Ayodhya SSP.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will visit Ayodhya on August 2 to take stock of preparations for the Ram temple foundation stone-laying ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on August 5, according to Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, the president of the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust.