Paramilitary forces on Wednesday arrested 200 karsevaks and surrounded Karsevakpuram, Ayodhya, where the Vishwa Hindu Parishad plans to hold a massive rally on October 17.

The forces also staged a flag march through the main streets of Ayodhya while officials, including the district magistrate and superintendent of police, held a meeting to review the security arrangements.

A vigil was being maintained along the river routes to check infiltration of VHP workers from neighbouring areas, sources said.

Earlier, VHP leader Giriraj Kishore, the outfit's Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Prabhu Narain Singh and some 1,000 activists, who were on their way to Ayodhya, were arrested in Lucknow.

Giriraj Kishore and Singh were held after they addressed VHP workers at a rally.