VHP Ayodhya yatra: chief, top leader arrested

Despite a ban by the Uttar Pradesh government, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad or VHP plans to begin its 300-km-long parikrama or religious procession around Ayodhya this morning, with a puja on the ghats of the Saryu river in the town.

Fearing showdown, the UP administration has increased security in and around Ayodhya.

VHP leader Ashok Singhal has been arrested from Lucknow airport. He had planned to drive down to Ayodhya, around 150 km away, for the "Chaurasi Kos Parikrama", a 300-km-long parikrama or religious procession around Ayodhya, that has been banned by the Akhilesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh.

Top Vishwa Hindu Parishad or VHP leader Praveen Togadia has been arrested as he defied prohibitory orders in Ayodhya and attempted to conduct prayers on the banks of the Saryu river this morning to launch the yatra.
Fearing showdown, the UP administration has increased security in and around Ayodhya.
Over 6,000 policemen have been deployed in Ayodhya alone.

Ayodhya and its twin town Faizabad are out of bounds for the VHP.
The UP administration has decided to use 10 schools in Faizabad as makeshift jails if more yatris are arrested.
More than 350 people headed for the yatra have been arrested from various towns in UP.