Ahead of the end of Ganpati festival immersion and the verdict on Ayodhya, Chavan held a series of meetings with newspaper and TV editors, religious heads and political leaders on Tuesday, urging them to help ensure peace. “All Guardian Ministers have been asked to remain in their districts for the rest of the week,” Chavan said. They will interact locally with the media, religious heads and politicians, he said.

He said certain elements often take advantage of sensitive situations and instigate violence by spreading rumours through SMS, Chavan said the government was exploring action against them though it was difficult to control modern technology.

Patil said police are making preventive arrests to maintain harmony, and appealed for cooperation from the media and the masses.

In case of any incident, he said, police have been asked to convey facts to the media officially to prevent speculation and misreporting. A control room will reveal official information and the media will be briefed every evening by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and the Director-General of Information and PR, he said.

Mohalla committees have been mobilised to help the government maintain peace.