Mumbai: With a determined Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) set to hold a 'Conversion Sammelan' tomorrow (Dec 24, 2003) in Navapur town in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra and the State Minorities' Commission (MSMC) asking to revoke permission given to VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia, authorities have clamped prohibitory order since last night as a precautionary measure.

"Section 144 has been clamped in the Navapur town in view of the VHP 'sammelan' as a precautionary measure and the security has been beefed up by deploying two platoons of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF)," Navapur police told reporters in Mumbai today (Dec 23, 2003).

Maharashtra Government had, in the second week of December itself, given the permission to hold the 'sammelan', police said adding, all arrangements are being made to keep Navapur peaceful.

However, the MSMC said it continued with its demand for immediate withdrawal of the permission to Togadia.

MSMC vice-president Dr Abrahim Mathai said, "we demand immediate withdrawal of the permission given by the State Government to Togadia to host the 'conversion sammelan' in Navapur."

Meanwhile, the VHP, which has already held nine such 'sammelans' in the State, said it is "determined" to go ahead.

"We are determined to hold the 'sammelan' at any cost," VHP State unit chief Vyankatesh Abdev told reporters from Surat.

"VHP will be filing a petition at Nandurbar court today seeking permission to conduct the 'sammelan'. We are hopeful to get a favourable verdict by evening," Abdev said while on his way to Navapur, bordering Gujarat.