March 25, 2003	Tuesday	Muharram 21, 1424

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LUCKNOW, March 24: Archaeologists sought an extra two months from an Indian court on Monday to complete the excavation of the Babri mosque site claimed by both Hindus and Muslims.

In an application to a court here, the archaeologists also asked for an extra two weeks at the end of the dig to complete a final report on their findings at the site in Ayodhya in northern India.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), a government body which looks after monuments and historical sites, had been given one month to complete the excavations, which began on March 12.

It was also directed to hand a progress report to the court here by Monday, which it did, though no details were disclosed as the court instead heard a petition by two Muslims that the digging be extended to include an area now occupied by a Hindu temple.

Officials said the report could be considered again on Tuesday by the court.

The archaeologists in their application also asked for permission to dig under the cement floor of the razed mosque below which, they said, are several “intervening structures.”

The Sunni Wakf board objected to the need “for digging up so many trenches” at the site.

Hindu zealots razed the 16th-century mosque in 1992 and hardline groups argue the rubble masks a pre-historic temple to lord Ram.—AFP