March 10, 2003	Monday	Muharram 6, 1424

NEW DELHI, March 9: A team of archeologists arrived in Ayodhya on Sunday where they are to excavate a disputed religious site claimed by Hindus and Muslims.

The 15-member team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), a government body responsible for historical sites and monuments, is due to start excavation work on Monday.

The move follows a court order issued in Uttar Pradesh last week ordering the excavation of the site — where Hindu zealots in December 1992 destroyed the 16th century Babri mosque — to determine whether a Hindu shrine previously existed there.

Hindus claim the mosque was built by Mughul emperor Babar after destroying a temple to their god Ram, whom they say was born on the site. No religious group has been allowed to use the site until the matter is resolved by the courts, which control the site.

The destruction of the mosque sparked riots across India that claimed about 2,000 lives. It was also a factor in communal clashes last year in western Gujarat state that killed another 2,000 people, mostly Muslims.—AFP