New Delhi, India (CNN) -- India has beefed up security across the country as it braces for a court verdict that could trigger religious violence.
India's Supreme Court is expected to rule Thursday afternoon on ownership of land in the northern town of Ayodhya that has been long disputed by Hindus and Muslims.
Destruction of a mosque in Ayodhya in 1992 sparked religious riots across India, in which more than 2,000 people died.
"The central government has taken adequate measures and has deployed adequate security forces all over the country in order to assist the state government to maintain law, order and peace," Union Home Minister Shri P. Chidambaram said Thursday. "I would once again appeal to all sections of the people of the country to cooperate with the government and uphold the values that are dear to our country".
Paramilitary forces have been deployed in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Home Ministry spokesman Onkar Kedia said Thursday. In the rest of the country, paramilitary forces and air force aircraft are being kept on reserve.
CNN
