QUAKE FEAR RETURNS TO SOMWARPET;

Close on the heels of Tahasildar Somwarpet warning people that the quake report at Somwarpet is only a rumour, a heavy sound and rattling shook over 800 people living in three blocks this evening.

Tension mounts in ranger and Basaveshwara block and Janatha colony as people experience rattling under their feet followed with heavy sounds of cracking of rock or throwing down a gas cylinder.

The highly disturbed residents today charged against the district administration, which has not done alternate arrangements for their stay. They flayed the tahasildars statement warning people with legal action for spreading rumors of quake etc.

People heard a mild sound at 6.45 followed by a thunderous sound which shook the earth. The sound was heard even in far off places.

The experts who had visited the place had ruled out the possibility of earth quake and said that it was caused due to the water mixing up with gas underneath.

The residents state that the rain has subsided now and there could be no chance of it causing calamity.

PROTEST HELD AT SOMWARPET;

Residents held protest against the district administration at Somwarpet today and demanded security against the trembling of earth.

Over eight hundred residents in three blocks could not sleep inside their houses yesterday as thunderous sounds underneath wreaked their sleep. Most of the men were wandering outside, while women and children were sent to safer places.

The protestors shouted slogans against the Tahasildar who had earlier warned against the people spreading news about the trembling as earthquake.

The protest was withdrawn after the Tahasildar assured the people of few emergency measures they will initiate.

The Tahasildar said that a 24-hour help line would be opened, an ambulance vehicle would be kept ready and the department will also make alternate arrangement for the stay. People in distress are suggested to call police station 24 hours.

DC CLARIFIES;

Talking to this correspondent, the Deputy Commissioner assured that he would ask earthquake experts to come and inspect the place. He said that the state secretary (Relief) Mr.Jarki, district in charge minister and concerned state officials are informed about the situation. Arrangements would be made to bring earthquake experts to ascertain the situation.

DC Mr.Subodh Yadav explained that about five expert teams have so far examined the place and ruled out the possibility of earthquake. The teams have said that the tremor and crack reported from Somwarpet and Biligeri are mainly due to heavy rainfall. Somwarpet has recorded 130% rainfall compared to the average it receives each year. He informed that the experts have felt dwelling at Biligeri Rajanbane area where the earth has cracked is not advisable.

Rs.28 CRORE-RAIN. DAMAGE;

The district administration has sent a report to the government claiming rupees 28 crore as rain damage.

The deputy commissioner has said that Somwarpet has incurred a loss of rupees 11 crores. Virajpet has incurred a loss of rupees 9 crores and Madikeri has incurred a loss of rupees 8 crores.

PROTEST BEFORE EXCISE DEPARTMENT;

Villagers from Kadangala held a protest before Excise department at Virajpet yesterday and shouted slogans against excess.

The protestors alleged that the excise department along with the contractors is harassing innocents in the village in the pretext of controlling illicit liquor trade.

They flayed the action of arresting one Bopaiah and said that he was recently arrested for keeping illegal arrack satchets, whih were infact planted by the department itself, they alleged.