Wednesday, February 16 2005 10:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kollur (Karnataka): People should join hands with the Government in combating the naxalite menace, Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh has said.

Speaking after the dedication of Rs 5.8 crore golden chariot to the presiding deity of Mookambika temple in Kollur late last night (Feb 15, 2005), Singh said naxalites were active in Kollur Reserve forest areas and other parts of Western Ghats in the State.

Commending the management committee of the temple for fulfilling the devotees' dream by completing the golden chariot project, Singh said that the temples should respond to the wishes of the devotees.

Later replying to a question from reporters on JD-S (Janata Dal-Secular) chief Deve Gowda's remarks threatening withdrawal of support to the Congress-JD-S Government headed by him, Singh said in the coalition setup "everything had to be adjusted".

Minister for Revenue and Religious Endowment M P Prakash, who was also present, added that Gowda had talked to the Chief Minister over phone yesterday assuring continued support to the Government.

Prakash said the Government would consider the issue of appointment of an administrator to famous Sri Krishna temple in Udupi, if it found such an action necessary.

He said that of the 34,671 temples under the endowment department, appointment of administrators had been made in only 100 temples. "When the situation arises we would look into this," he said.