Hindus storm demolished mosque site

Leaders of a militant Hindu organisation broke through a security cordon around the ruined Babri mosque in Ayodhya in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

More than 100 supporters of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) movement - which was instrumental in the destruction of the mosque in 1992 - tried to join them, but were prevented by police.

VHP President Ashok Singhal and General Secretary Praveen Bhai Togadia, who had forced their way into the restricted area, were later persuaded to leave.

Radical Hindus want to build a temple to the god Rama on the site, which they say marks his birthplace.

Muslims want to rebuild the mosque.

Correspondents say the action by the VHP seemed to be aimed at gaining support ahead of state elections due early next year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service