Deserted streets, closed shops and khaki all over

Anyone would have thought curfew had been clamped on the city yesterday, what with deserted streets, most shops and commercial establishments closed and a heavy police presence near religious places and communally sensitive locations.

The day of the Ayodhya verdict saw most people keeping to their homes.Commissioner of Police (CP) Meeran Chadha Borwankar said that people were apprehensive and did not venture out, which helped maintain law and order.

The first half of the day was just like any other day, with people going about their day-to-day activities, but as time passed and judgment hour neared, shops and offices started downing shutters and the streets wore a deserted look.

Ankita Gujar (26), who works at a private company office on Laxmi road, said, "I have never felt insecure in the city till date. I was hearing about the verdict and its possible fallout for many days and my parents were not ready to let me go to work. In fact, our entire office was wary."

Aslam Shaikh (60), a retired officer, said, "Our generation has witnessed the bloodbath after the Babri Masjid demolition. We are hoping it is not repeated. The court verdict should be respected by everyone and communal passions should not be fanned."

There was police bandobast since morning. The entire city police force of 7,000 policemen and 700 Home Guards was deployed.

72-hour bandobast
The bandobast will continue for 72 hours, said Borwankar.Armed policemen have been posted at prominent religious places like Dagdushet Halwai Ganpati, Subhanshah Dargah and Tamboli Masjid. Flag marches were carried out in communally sensitive areas.

Deputy commissioners of police and inspectors of 29 police stations in the city were out on rounds.Police Constable Rupali Raskar, posted outside Tamboli Masjid, said, "We have been on bandobast duty since morning and have kept the situation under control."

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