While reviewing the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, Chief Minister Mayawati seemed to clearly prepare ground to hold the centre responsible for non-cooperation in the event of any trouble arising as a fallout of the much awaited Ayodhya verdict.
Apart from sounding a statewide alert, Mayawati's main focus at the meeting was against what she termed as the "centre's apathy" towards the difficult situation faced by the state in the wake of the Ayodhya verdict slated for Friday.
The CM told a high-level meeting held at her official residence, how she had been repeatedly seeking assistance of the central government, ever since the high court declared its decision to deliver the much awaited verdict, two months ago. "Since then the state government was making special efforts to maintain law and order besides taking all possible measures to ensure that the communal forces should not disturb the law and order, We made it a point to keep the centre duly informed of the prevailing situation in the state", she said.
The UP chief minister lamented the fact that as against the state's much emphasized demand and requirement of 642 companies (one company comprising about 80 men) of paramilitary forces, the centre had agreed to eventually provide just 52 companies , which
she described as "grossly inadequate."
"While the initial demand on August 6, was for 458 companies, the demand for an additional 143 companies was made on
September 1, to specifically protect the disputed site at Ayodhya. Besides, 29 companies were sought to insure fool-proof security at the high court premises , both in Lucknow and in Allahabad , followed by yet another letter dated September 6 for 12 companies of the Rapid Action Force", she pointed out at the meeting.
According to an official spokesman, the chief minister was very firm about the need to take a tough stand against mischief mongers. Directing the officials to remain on high alert, she also made it a point to highlight the need for keeping a tab on
rumour-mongering, which she felt was equally dangerous.
Mayawati also reviewed the security of important religious, social and historic places, that were already on high-alert.
She also appealed to the people of the state to maintain peace and calm.