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India Steps Up Security Ahead of Key Verdict on Disputed Religious Site

Anjana Pasricha

   NEW DELHI - India's Supreme Court will deliver a key verdict Saturday
   on the country's oldest and most contentious dispute between Hindu and
   Muslim groups:control of a 2.77-acre site in the small northern town of
   Ayodhya, where a Hindu mob tore down a mosque more than 25 years ago,
   triggering the country's worst religious violence.

   While Hindus want to erect a grand temple on the spot, which they
   believe is the birthplace of their god Rama. Muslims want the mosque
   rebuilt.

   Security has been tightened ahead of the verdict, with nearly 5,000
   police and paramilitary patrolling Ayodhya, a small temple town of
   about 55,000 people. Messages of restraint have gone out from Indian
   Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders, while both
   Hindu and Muslim organizations have made calls to maintain peace.
   Processions in the town have been banned.

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