Foiling the Shiv Sena's bid to hold a 'Ram Bhakt Sammelan' in Ayodhya in defiance of a ban, police arrested about 1,000 party activists, including two state unit vice-presidents of the party, on Saturday.

Party's state unit vice-presidents Babu Mishra and Mahesh Ahuja were arrested along with 500 party workers at Naya Ghat, close to Ram Katha Park, the venue of the proposed meet, when they tried to breach the security cordon, Circle Officer S S Baghel said.

Other Sena activists were arrested at the railway station and bus stands.

Sena activists had started arriving in Ayodhya since Friday evening and many of them spent the night in various temples.

Mishra and Ahuja, however, claimed they succeeded in holding the meeting despite the ban.

On Friday, Sena MPs Chandrakant Khaire and Shivaji Mane were arrested along with 100 odd party activists at Ram Sanehi Ghat, 90 km from Lucknow, on their way to Faizabad.

Tight security arrangements were in place in Ayodhya on Saturday, with the Ram Katha Park sealed and Rapid Action Force deployed in strength.

Prohibitory orders are in force in the district till October 31 in view of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's proposed Ayodhya March scheduled for October 17.

The Ayodhya tangle: Complete coverage