Mumbai: Nearly 500 VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) activists were today (Sep 12, 2004) detained and 13 vehicles seized in view of the organisation's threat to raze the controversial tomb of a 17th century Mughal general Afzal Khan near Pratapgarh fort in Satara district.

The VHP workers proceeding to Pratapgarh from various parts of the State have been detained and nearly 13 vehicles seized so far, police sources said adding that the situation is "under control".

Heavy security was being maintained in and around Pratapgarh and unlawful assembly has been banned under section 144 of the IPC in the area in view of the VHP's rally at Pachwad near the fort.

VHP Maharashtra unit secretary Vyankatesh Abdeo, who is present at Pachwad, told that despite police "suppressing" their agitation, nearly 10,000 VHP workers have managed to reach the site and has resorted to a "peaceful rasta roko".

Abdeo also claimed that nearly 10,000 VHP activists have been detained by police. However, it could not be confirmed from the authorities.

VHP and like-minded organisations have threatened to tear down the controversial structure accusing that beautification of the tomb was nothing but "glorification" of Afzal Khan.

Afzal Khan had attempted to assassinate Chhatrapati Shivaji on the foothills of Pratapgarh fort where he had come to hold peace talks with him. However, Shivaji had then killed the Muslim general.