AYODHYA/LUCKNOW: A 55-year-old Kashmiri man entered the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Saturday evening and attempted to offer prayers near a restricted area, leaving the complex’s security forces in turmoil. The person, identified as Abu Ahmad Sheikh (55), was arrested while he was trying to offer prayers near the southern bypass corridor of the Ram Janmabhoomi complex, near Sita Rasoi. Sheikh is a resident of Wodapora village in Shopian district of J&K. Officials said he had completed darshan and was about to leave the premises when security personnel noticed his actions and immediately detained him. Sources said the man raised slogans after he was stopped following which intelligence agencies and police took action. He was taken to Ram Janmabhoomi police outpost and interrogated under the supervision of SP (Security) Balramachari Dubey. Ayodhya SSP Gaurav Grover said the man’s antecedents were being checked and a detailed report had been sought from the J&K Police. No suspicious items were recovered from him, Grover said. The district administration and the Ram Temple Trust had not issued any statement till late evening. The incident inside the high-security temple complex has brought Ayodhya’s security architecture into focus. Several former DGPs TOI spoke to said that protection of the shrine must remain uncompromising and constantly evolve given its religious importance, high footfall and increasing threat perception. Since the consecration of Ram Lalla, an average of around 1.5 lakh devotees visit the shrine daily. Given the repeated threats and high footfall in the complex, the state is planning a permanent NSG center in Ayodhya to strengthen rapid response to terror threats and high-risk situations.
