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Cops pour water over Shiv Sena's ideas

Onkar Singh in New Delhi

The Delhi Police Sunday arrested three workers of the Shiv Sena who had managed to sneak into the Gandhi Samadhi complex despite elaborate security arrangements. Delhi Shiv Sena chief Jai Bhagwan Goel had threatened to wash the entire Rajghat complex with Ganga jal to purify the samadhi, which he claimed had become apvitra due to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's visit.

Musharraf had paid tributes to the Father of the Nation Saturday by offering flowers at the samadhi.

The three, including a woman, were whisked away to the Daryaganj police station.

Renu Bala, the lone woman to be arrested along with Laloo Guru - who claimed to be a field commander from Uttar Pradesh - and Rajan Sharma, wore a saffron chunni around her neck before shouting slogans.

Both Laloo and Renu claimed that they had managed to sneak in with Ganga jal and wash the complex.

"When Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee went to Lahore, they washed the Minar-e-Pakistan after he left. That is why we are washing the Gandhi Samadhi," claimed Guru.

Renu Bala also offered similar explanation for her act. According to police sources, they had managed to sneak in as visitors and did not carry any water bottles with them.

"Three of our people are already inside the samadhi complex and they have carried out the job of purification of the complex by sprinkling Ganga jal," Goel told rediff.com

"Because of the large police arrangement we have carried out the work at a small scale. We will do the same Monday at 5 pm after Musharraf leaves the country," he said.

Goel's proposed threat caused inconvenience to a large number of tourists who were prevented from carrying water bottles with them in the complex.

An old man from Tamil Nadu, Sundermurthy, was not allowed to take marygold garlands inside.

"I have come back from the Amarnath Yatra and I thought I would offer garlands at the samadhi. But I was not allowed to do so," he said.

"I will now place them at the Shakti Sthal, samadhi of Indira Gandhi," Sundermurthy added.

Indo-Pak Summit 2001: The Complete Coverage

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