Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 18: Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) plans to organize foot march to DC office at 11 am on December 21 demanding to permanently end quarrying and mining activities in the area of Karinjeshwara temple in Bantwal taluk. Speaking at a press conference held here on Friday December 17, HJV provincial executive member, Radhakrishna Adyantaya, said that this is the second phase of the fight against illegal mining in the region launched by his organization.

Adyantaya said that quarrying and mining around the said temple is illegal and that his organization had carried out a protest, 'Rudragiriya Ranakahale' against the mines about a month back in order to maintain the sanctity of the temple. "We had set a month's deadline to stop mining. As we have not got the response desired, we plan Padayatra to the office of the DC," he said.

He said that the compound wall of the temple has collapsed due to stone quarrying in the vicinity and the front portion of the sanctum sanctorum has developed cracks. The roof of the kitchen has been broken as a result of which rainwater seeps inside. "Use of explosives has been threatening the very existence of the temple. But the departments concerned and the district administration are not interested to take any steps to prevent this,' he alleged.