4 Jul 2009, 1142 hrs IST

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Kerala Devaswom Minister G Sudhakaran yesterday instructed Devaswoms of all temples in the state to construct strong rooms to keep valuables and deploy security personnel in view of increasing thefts in temples.

He gave the instructions following the theft of gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 4.5 lakh Thursday night at the Lord Siva temple at Vadakkanchery, functioning under Kochi Devaswom Board

The valuables were stolen from the 'Sreekovil' (sanctum sanctorum)' of the temple, where there was no strong room or security.

A statement from the minister's office said many Devaswoms had not paid heed to the earlier government directives to post securitymen and build strong rooms to keep valuables in all temples.

The minister also directed that admissions under management quota in schools and colleges functioning under Travancore Devaswom Board be strictly on merit. He also wanted the TDB to implement the government decision to reserve 10 per cent of management seats to students belonging to SC/ST category this year itself.

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