File photo of Hashim Ansari
On the eve of Babri mosque demolition anniversary, Uttar Pradesh government on Friday enhanced the security of Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the case, by providing him a Y-category security cover.
A Sub Inspector of Police along with six constables and PAC personnel will guard Ansari and his family round the clock. Y-category has a security cover of 11 personnel.
However, the police have ruled out any threat to the 92-year-old.
"There are no threats to Ansari, but taking cognizance the seriousness of the matter we have provided him and his family a well-covered protection," Faizabad Senior Superintendent of Police KB Singh said.
After Ansari appointed his son as his nominee to peruse the Babri case, the local administration has also taken his son Iqbal Ansari under the security cover.
Ansari said on December 3 that he was ready for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for peaceful negotiations in the matter only if he promises that he will ensure punishment to those accused of its demolition.
"I am ready to come to the negotiation table with the Prime Minister, but before we start talking on this issue I want Modi to put the trial of Babri Masjid demolition accused on fast track," Ansari had said.
Ansari had also attacked UP minister Azam Khan for his remarks on the Babri Masjid issue. "What was the need for Azam Khan to bring up the Babri Masjid issue? Till the time Khan is not removed from the ministership, I will not advocate the matter myself and will tell people that Khan is betraying the community," he told a TV channel.
Khan had recently said that the Ayodhya dispute was a "dead issue".