Ayodhya: BJP-VHP protest impact felt in BJP States Wednesday, July 6 2005 18:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -
New Delhi:
Sangh Parivar activists today (July 6, 2005) stormed the Indore airport, clashed with police at several places and blocked rail and road traffic during their country-wide protest against the terror attack in Ayodhya, which did not make much impact outside the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-ruled States.
No untoward incident was reported from UP and the twin cities of Ayodhya and Faizabad, where schools and business establishments remained open despite thin attendance, even as VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) activists were seen forcing shopkeepers to down their shutters.
Breaching high security, VHP activists barged into the Indore airport and squatted on the tarmac preventing a Delhi bound Jet Airways flight from taking off for over two hours. Immediately after the incident, the authorities in-charge of the airport police station prohibitory orders were also clamped in Chattripura locality of Indore as a precautionary measure, amidst reports that two Dargahs were damaged.
The BJP protest also turned violent in Delhi, where police used tear gas shells and water cannons to control unruly demonstrators who overturned security barricades and pelted stones ahead of party President L K Advani's address.
Several BJP leaders including V K Malhotra and Sushma Swaraj courted arrest after Advani's departure amidst slogans of Jai Shri Ram.
In several State capitals like Patna and Bhopal, VHP and BJP activists burnt effigies of UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government holding it responsible for yesterday's attack on the disputed complex.