PTI

Ayodhya, Dec 6: 50 Hindu Mahasabha activists were arrested on Saturday while they were marching towards the disputed site in Ayodhya as authorities kept a tight vigil across Uttar Pradesh in the wake of intelligence reports warning of terror strikes on the 16th anniversary of Babri Mosque demolition.

Superintendent of Police Gyaneshwar Tiwari said that the activists were arrested for violating prohibitory orders.

The numerous street protests by both Hindu and Muslim organisations which usually mark the day were missing following calls by various outfits for restraint in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks. Demonstrations have been banned in sensitive areas and additional paramilitary personnel deployed.

"Youm-e-gham" and 'Black Day' was observed by some Muslim organisations to protest the demolition of the mosque in 1992 in Ayodhya. Black flags were hoisted at mosques and a memorandum addressed to the union government demanding reconstruction of the mosque was submitted to the district magistrate.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal observed the day as 'Shaurya divas' and "Sankalp Divas" pledging to uproot terrorism.

With authorities sounding an alert, a close vigil is being kept at major railway stations, bus depots, hotels, markets and places of worship, police said.

Airports across the country are on high alert following intelligence warning that there could be a terror attack or a hijacking around the anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition.