04-07-2008, 11:40 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Ayodhya police gear up to stop âJal Samadhiâ
The Ayodhya police has woken up to curb the practice of Jal Samadhi during Ram Navami. The festival, which began on Sunday, will go on till April 14.
The age-old custom of Jal Samadhi has its roots in the Hindu mythology - Lord Ram was supposed to have immersed himself in river Saryu. Thereafter, the belief sprang that anyone who ends life in the river is granted a place in heaven.
Though there are no official figures of the actual number of deaths that have taken place, according to locals, this is a long-standing custom, which is followed even today.
Raj Kumar Tiwari, a local guide in Ayodhya, said: "Every year during Ramnavami Mela, some elderly men and women try to commit suicide by "Jal Samadhi". In most cases, they are people abandoned by their children and have no one to look after them."
The Ayodhya police have now drawn up a list of do's and dontâs. According to the Superintendent of Police, GN Khanna: "From Sunday, which marks the beginning of Ramnavami festival, we have deployed a heavy contingent of water police on all ghats, and this force will keep a 24-hour vigil. Besides, we have also cordoned off the danger zone of the river with nets and ropes. We have established high beam lights and searchlights on the riverside to keep a watch during the night."
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Faizabad, RKS Rathore, told The Indian Express: "Flood Company of Provincial Armed Constabulary has been deployed in all river areas of Ayodhya. Apart from this, all security personnel deployed in the city have also been directed to stay alert."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The Ayodhya police has woken up to curb the practice of Jal Samadhi during Ram Navami. The festival, which began on Sunday, will go on till April 14.
The age-old custom of Jal Samadhi has its roots in the Hindu mythology - Lord Ram was supposed to have immersed himself in river Saryu. Thereafter, the belief sprang that anyone who ends life in the river is granted a place in heaven.
Though there are no official figures of the actual number of deaths that have taken place, according to locals, this is a long-standing custom, which is followed even today.
Raj Kumar Tiwari, a local guide in Ayodhya, said: "Every year during Ramnavami Mela, some elderly men and women try to commit suicide by "Jal Samadhi". In most cases, they are people abandoned by their children and have no one to look after them."
The Ayodhya police have now drawn up a list of do's and dontâs. According to the Superintendent of Police, GN Khanna: "From Sunday, which marks the beginning of Ramnavami festival, we have deployed a heavy contingent of water police on all ghats, and this force will keep a 24-hour vigil. Besides, we have also cordoned off the danger zone of the river with nets and ropes. We have established high beam lights and searchlights on the riverside to keep a watch during the night."
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Faizabad, RKS Rathore, told The Indian Express: "Flood Company of Provincial Armed Constabulary has been deployed in all river areas of Ayodhya. Apart from this, all security personnel deployed in the city have also been directed to stay alert."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->