Congress behind recent communal violence in Mangalore: Shetty

Mangalore, Oct 22 (UNI) Karnataka Minister for Fisheries B Nagaraja Shetty alleged that Congress was behind the communal violence incidents that took place in Mangalore city and its outskirts areas recently in which two people were killed and about 100 injured.

Talking to newsmen here last night he said Congress instigated in violence to malign his image as well as the popularity of the Janata Dal (Secular) and Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government.

Mr Shetty said the state government has already released Rs 23 lakh towards compensation to the victims of the incidents.

Mr Shetty further said in order to facilitate pilgrims of the State visiting other places of worship, the government has contemplated to construct choultaries in pilgrim centres including Tirupati and Guruvayur in Kerala. Besides, it was also proposed to install a statue of great Haridasa Sri Purandaradasa at Tirupati.

He added that Andhra Pradesh government had been approached for land to construct a 286 room choultry in Tirupati at a cost of Rs five crore.

Mr Shetty said Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh has asked for land for the construction of choultries to help pilgrims visiting Mookambika Temple in Kollur. Similar efforts were also being made by the government to get land in famous pilgrim centres like Rameshwaram, Madurai and other places, he added.

He also said 39 applications were received for Manasa Sarovar Yatra. In this regards deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa have agreed to release Rs 75 lakh as against the required Rs One crore as subsidy to the Manasarovar Yatris. Rs 25,000 each would be provided as subsidy to these yatris.

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