The security cover of Mahant Gyan Das and Mohammad Hashim Ansari, two of the main litigants in the Ayodhya title suits case who are chief negotiators of peace talks in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Mosque dispute, has been removed.
The security cover provided by the local administration to the two leaders after they initiated peaceful talks for an out-of-court settlement of the Ayodhya dispute was taken off late last evening, official sources said.
Due to a security risk to the two litigants, they were provided round-the-clock Y category security after the Allahabad high court judgement in the case on September 30. Three police gunners and half-a-dozen armed PAC personals were posted at their respective residences.
While the PAC personnel were called back last evening, the gunners continue to be deployed at the respective residences, though their number has been reduced.
Ayodhya police circle officer Rakesh Kumar Pandey said, "Ayodhya has got enough security forces and it has been deployed at places according to the need".
However, sources in the police department said due to shortfall in security forces in Ayodhya, the PAC security cover has been withdrawn from both leaders.
Talking to PTI, Hashim Ansari said, "On some high official's order, PAC jawans posted here for my security were removed. I was provided three police gunners round the clock, now only two are left. When I will move out, these two gunners will accompany me and nobody will be left behind me to protect my house and my family".
A staff member at the residence of Mahant Gyan Das at Hanuman Garhi premises told PTI, "The PAC camp established for Mahantji's security has been removed. Even his personal security of police gunners has been minimised".