Ayodhya, 11 Jan (HS): Police on

Sunday released a Kashmiri man who had been held for allegedly attempting to

conduct namaz within the Ram Mandir complex here to his family members after

they showed medical certificates indicating he was mentally sick, authorities

said. Ahmed Sheikh, a native of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, was seized

on Saturday when security forces observed him apparently preparing to give

namaz on temple grounds.

Superintendent of Police (City) Chakrapani Tripathi said Sheikh's relatives

arrived in Ayodhya on Saturday evening and notified the police that he was

suffering from mental illness. They also presented medical records to back up

their allegation, and he was turned over to them, according to the police

officer.

According to Tripathi, as part of the probe into Sheikh's actions, other

Kashmiri youths hawking shawls in Ayodhya were also questioned. They did not

have any undesirable objects in their possession. Their addresses were

verified, and they were then freed along with their belongings. Senior police

officials stated that security agencies are still on high alert, but no

additional action is being taken.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi