M A I N   N E W S

Excavation begins in Ayodhya

Ayodhya, March 12
The excavation at the disputed site here to find out whether a temple existed beneath the demolished structure began today amidst tight security, Faizabad district administration sources said.

The digging began at 1.35 pm, 10 feet away from the makeshift temple after a three-hour survey by a team of the Archaelogical Survey of India and consultations among the parties to the dispute as per fresh guidelines issued by the Allahabad High Court.

The excavation started in the presence of counsels and nominees of the contesting parties in the title suit pending before the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court.

The place was cleaned and grass cut before labourers began digging under the supervision of the ASI team led by Superintending Archeologist B.R. Mani.

Though Mr Mohammad Hasim Ansari of the Sunni Central Waqf Board and one of the original plaintiffs boycotted the exercise, the board was represented by Mr Zafrayab Geelani, who was accompanied by two archaeologists, Mr R.C. Takran and Mr Mohammad Abid.

Complying with the March 5 directive of the Allahabad High Court, over 50 labourers equipped with chisels, hammers, axes and spades under the supervision of the ASI team began digging at 4x4 metre trenches just opposite the makeshift temple on the eastern side of the outer courtyard of the demolished structure.

Counsel and nominees of the contesting parties, including Mr Gellani of the Sunni Wakf Central Board, Mr R.L. Verma of Nirmohi Akhara, Ram Lalla’s lawyer, Mr Ajay Kumar Pandey, the VHP organising secretary, Mr Champat Rai, and the Faizabad Division Commissioner and authorised person for the acquired land, Mr R.M. Srivastava, were among those present to “ensure total transparency” as directed by the court.

While Mr Gellani was accompanied by two archaeologists, Mr Takran and Mr Abid, historians, Ms Ranjana Agnihotri and Mr Prasad, represented the Hindu organisations.

However, Mr Ansari of the Wakf Central Board, one of the original plaintiffs in the title suit, boycotted the exercise terming it as “political drama.”

While alleging that Human Resource Development minister Murli Manohar Joshi, an accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case, had replaced the ASI Director General ahead of the excavation, Mr Gellani expressed apprehension about the motive behind it, but said he was satisfied with the ASI team’s attitude today.

“It is to be seen whether the same sincerity would be there in the noting down of the findings and in further excavation,” he said.

The excavation work will be carried out daily between 10 am and 5pm and the Allahabad High Court has directed the ASI to submit its report in a month.

Two representatives of the Canadian firm Toji Vikas International, which had carried out a ground-penetrating radar survey of the area that indicated presence of pillars underneath the demolished structure, were also present to assist the ASI team.

A steady team of pilgrims continued to pour at the site out of devotion and curiosity.

Meanwhile, Faizabad district magistrate Alok Kumar said the darshan of Ram Lalla would continue unhindered and excavation would be carried out without disturbing the makeshift shrine as directed by the high court.

He said the situation in Ayodhya and the adjoining Faizabad was normal.

SSP Faizabad, Prashant Kumar said two companies of the CRPF and three companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary had been deployed in the town, especially in view of the Ram Navami celebrations on March 14.