From Ayodhya to London: Terrorism has same language

Ajoy Roy

Published on May 03, 2009

After 13 years of demolition of Babri Mosque by Hindu militants, a group of extremist militants attempted to blow out the makeshift Rama Temple near the site of ancient Rama Mandir over which the emperor Babar, claimed by the militant Hindus, built a mosque- later to be known as ï¿½Babri Masjidï¿½. The day chosen by the militants was July 5, 2005 and time set was 9 a.m. In an attempt to demolish the temporary Rama Mandir, the five militants lost their lives by the security personnel. The security police strictly maintains full proof security system so that even a fly can not approach the site with out being sighted The site is demarcated into several zones- green- a zone safe for everybody, yellow- the warning zone, and the red zone- where nobody is allowed to enter.

On July 5 early morning, at about 9-15 a.m. a white jeep was found rushing towards the makeshift Rama Temple complex with cracking sound of grenade and firing bullets. Through the smoky atmosphere the jeep attempted to enter into the yellow zone about 70 km from the red zone. The security personnel immediately sprang into action to stop the speedy vehicle. A melee followed and battle of exchange of fire soon began between the militants and the security personnel. The battle lasted for two hours in which it was found that five militants were killed.

The security chief of the paramilitary system of the area said ï¿½We must admit that they (militants) came dangerously close to the red zone (2.7 acre area and the makeshift temple) and just 70 meters away from the site of the temple.ï¿½

The eyewitnesses say that the terrorist group blasted their way by exploding bombs, storming behind a hail of bullets and bursting grenades around 9.15 a.m. The patrolling guards shouted that the arrival of attacking militants. Though stunned by sudden explosion the security personnel immediately fought back the terroristsï¿½ attack, and thank god, they foiled the militantsï¿½ objective of blowing the temporary temple of god Rama. Had they been successful, no body knew what could follow- another Gujrat episode?

In the fight three CRPF security men and another of Provincial armed constabulary were wounded. The incident once again proved the vulnerability of the public place to terrorist attack, no matter whatever be the tight security system is.

It was revealed later that the attackers hired a white Mahendra & Mahendra jeep from the Taxi stand at Faizabad at 8 a.m. They drove up to 80 acre temple complex in the vehicle at 9 a.m. The jeep was parked at nearby place. Then five militants walked away after parking the jeep, which after half an hour blew up. The jeep was hired at a price of Rs 1300. According to driverï¿½s statement the group came from Akbarpur about 60 km from the place of occurrence and first went to Sarayu River 3-4 km from the temple complex. They told the driver that on their way back they intended to visit the Rama temple complex. As they were driving toward the complex, at one stage one of the militants wanted to drive the jeep himself to which the driver objected vehemently. He was then kicked out of the jeep. The driver went to the nearby police station, but by that time the incident had taken place.

The BJP chief LK Advani complained that since the UPA government under Manmohan Singh took over, the security system had become lax. The PM said after the incident took place ï¿½the entire country was shocked by the dastardly terrorist attack ï¿½ We will never compromise with terrorism. ï¿½ There should not be any doubt in any bodyï¿½s mind. ï¿½

After the London explosion the Indian PM, who has been attending G8 summit at Sydney commented, ï¿½From Ayodhya to London the terrorism, has same patternï¿½ pledging to fight against terrorism united on international as well as at local level.

The security later on discovered 3 AK Rifles, 17 grenades, a rocket launcher type weapon, mobile phones, some currencies and some documents from the possession of the dead militants.

In the crossfire an elderly lady Shanta Devi (72) was found dead, obviously she came to the Mandir to pay her regards to Rama. The battle took place in the yellow zone, which means that the militants successful pierced through the outer defence and security system, which was rather alarming. Since the severe terrorist attacks on Indian Parliament at New Delhi and Aksaradham complex, a finest temple of Swaminarayan from architectural point of view, at Ahmedabad several yearsï¿½ back, this is the most severe attempt made by the militants. No terrorist so far claimed the credit of the operation.

However Indian circles point out to the Pakistan based terrorists group including the Al Quieda group(s) based in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The daily Dinkal published from Calcutta found Pakistani militantsï¿½ hands in the assault. The Indian intelligent department(s) although publicly did not utter, but appeared to be convinced that they have enough proofs that members of the militant group taking part in the assault belonged to Pakistan based militant organization ï¿½Laskar I Toiyebaï¿½ or ï¿½Jayash I Muhammadï¿½. The sources nearer to the interior ministry believed that the ministry had prior knowledge of arrival of 15-20 militants at New Delhi about a month ago. Their mission was to demolish temporarily erected Rama temple, but the tight security system inside the complex foiled their attempt. The object of demolishing the site was to make sure that in future no Rama Temple could be erected in view of the Supreme Courtï¿½s stay order. A few months back a few militants were arrested following bomb explosions in New Delhi cinema Hall, which was followed by an attempted terrorist assault on Indian Military Academy in Dehradun in which again a few terrorists were arrested. The intelligence source in India believe that a meeting took place in the month of April between Pakistani ISI chief Mr. Ehsan ul Haq and Laskar chief Hafiz Muhammad Sayid & Jayash-leader Masud Azahar in a Pakistani town Dera Gazi Khan. In this meeting a blue print of terrorist activities on religious places and some industrially and economically important establishments was made. Ram-temple operation is one such plan that failed because of Indian security system in Rama-temple complex.

Indian public including Muslim religious leaders condemned the incident. The PM appealed to the political leaders not over play the incident and called for restrain urging all quarters not to issue emotional and provocative statements on Ayodhya. The militant organizations like RSS, Viswa Hindu Parisad and BJP criticized Mulayem Sing Jadabï¿½s UP government and the central government of India for failure of security system. The situation seems to be under control- no serious communal violence anywhere in India so far been reported. It is a good sign.

We appeal to the secularist forces throughout India to be on guard to foil any communal violence using the incident as a plea- the communalist force in Pakistan and Bangladesh precisely wanting this. We the secularists have much greater responsibility and a vital role to play in stopping fundamentalistsï¿½ design.

Prof. Ajoy K. Roy, a reputed scientist of high esteem, ardent activist of Human Rights writes from Bangladesh. He can be reached at [email protected]