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Government firm on maintaining status quo in Ayodhya, says Advani

The Centre today again reiterated that the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid site will be fully protected as per the orders of the Supreme Court.

Giving this assurance in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister L K Advani said the Centre, as a statutory receiver, is duty bound to maintain status quo in the disputed areas.

He also made it clear that no construction activity is going on at the disputed site at Ayodhya.

However, from various sources, reports have been received that cutting and carving of stone pillars are going on at places away from the disputed site and at some villages in Rajasthan. Carving of stones away from the site does not constitute violation of any law.

The minister also justified sending high level central teams to Bihar and West Bengal to assess the prevailing law and order situation and to look into specific cases of crime committed against certain sections of the population.

The Constitution casts a duty on the Union government to protect every state not only against external aggression but also internal disturbances and to ensure that the government of every state is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, he said.

UNI

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