Even though VHP’s controversial 84 Kosi Parikrama Yatra may have turned out to be a damp squib, there is a “considerable threat’’ that Uttar Pradesh might face communal unrest in the months to come as “certain elements’’ are trying to foment trouble in the State.
Intelligence agencies have cautioned both the Union home ministry as well as the state government to this effect clarifying that the “next few months, in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls, are extremely crucial from law and order point of view in Uttar Pradesh.’’
“There is a high probability that some elements may try and foment communal trouble in the state,’’ the intelligence note adds. However, the intelligence agencies have not specifically spelt out whether these outfits, that may try and engineer trouble, are subversive elements or socio-political groupings.
But highly placed home ministry sources said UP has been asked to maintain a high state of alert and all security arrangements should remain in place even after the threat of VHP’s yatra subsides. The present programme of the 84 Kosi Parikrama Yatra is to continue till September 13.
A massive contingent of central para-military forces, including the RAF, are already deployed in the state to prevent any untoward incident.
Intelligence agencies fear, sources added, that some outfits may try to upset the communal peace and harmony in Uttar Pradesh with the purpose of polarising the votes before the Lok Sabha polls.
“The social, political and religious equation in Uttar Pradesh is very complex. A minor incident can have severe backlash and consequences. This then can even be taken advantage of by subversive elements and we are trying to prevent that situation at any cost,’’a senior home ministry official remarked.
In the days to come, sources revealed, the Home Ministry will be issuing another advisory to the State Government to ensure heavy security deployment for any kind of religious congregation. ``We will also advise the State that if there is a slightest suspicion of the event causing any kind of backlash the administration should not grant permission for it. These instructions should be passed down to the Collector and SSP level also,’’the official added.
There is an increasing fear both among the Centre and State that some frontal saffron outfits will become more aggressive on the issue of Ram Temple at Ayodhya in the days to come.