Mangalore Dec 19: The State government is committed to ensuring peaceful celebration of Datta Jayanti in Chikmagalur district on December 23, P. K. Hormese Tharakan, adviser to the Governor, has said.

Interacting with presspersons here on Tuesday during his two-day visit to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, Mr. Tharakan, a former RAW chief, said: "A delegation met the Governor recently urging his intervention in this regard. We have assured the delegation that the government would take all steps to ensure that the function goes off smoothly," he said. Senior police officials would personally supervise the security, he added.

Asked if the government was planning mass transfer of officials, as was being speculated in a section of the media, he replied in the negative.

"This is not the time for general transfer. The government does not believe in making any major changes or go in for large-scale transfer. We are here for the interim period of six months to ensure smooth transfer of power to the next elected government and ensure governance in the interim," he added.

The Election Commission might, however, take its own view on the issue of transfers ahead of the elections, he observed.

"The Election Commission may change officials who have served in a particular place for quite some time," he noted.

On allowing the Legislative Council to meet under Presidents Rule, Mr. Tharakan said: "We are examining if there is a provision for such a meeting in the given circumstances."

On the delay in constituting the urban local bodies despite the State government announcing the reservation for the posts of mayor, president and vice-president, he said: "We are still in the process of discussing the issue."

He did not go into the Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor project stating that his colleague was handling it. Senior police officials later briefed him on the law and order and situation in the Western Range.

Peace committee meet

Chikmagalur: Speakers at a peace committee meeting called by Naveen Raj Singh, Deputy Commissioner, to discuss the modalities of conducting the Shoba Yatra and Datta Jayanti celebrations were unanimous in their opinion that they should be conducted peacefully. Representatives of non-BJP political parties and left-oriented organisations scaled down their demand that the Shoba Yatra and the Datta Jayanti should be banned. Pointing out that police personnel deployed from other parts of the State found it difficult to cope with the cold conditions at Bababudangiri, they wanted security forces to be reduced.

Those opposed to the Sangh Parivar reiterated that court orders should be strictly adhered to and new practices should not be allowed at the shrine. Some speakers wanted a committee of Hindus and Muslims to be formed to find a solution to the Bababudangiri-Dattatreya Peeta controversy.

Others suggested that celebrations at the pilgrim centre should be restricted to three days of urs and three days of Datta Jayanti. Those who participated in the discussions included representatives from the Congress, BJP, Janata Dal (S), Bajrang Dal, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, Chikmagalur District Journalists Association, Komu Souharda Vedike, Jagruti Vidyarti Vedike and Sunni Students Federation.

Vipul Kumar, Superintendent of Police, was present.

Hindu