HC SEEKS ENCROACHMENT REPORT FROM KODAGU;

State High court has ordered the government to submit detailed report of land encroachments in Kodagu in two months.

The court dealing with the case filed against the then minister T.John who is facing charges of encroachment of more than four hundred acres of land in Kodagu has sought full detail about the encroachment, including other such incidents.

The court has noted that over thirteen thousand acres of land was allegedly encroached in Kodagu in the similar lines of encroachments reported from Chikmagalur including B.L.Shankar.

The court taking up the case filed by advocate and former MP Pramila Nesargi has appointed state chief secretary, Das for investigation and filing of report. Nesargi has told this correspondent that it is a victory done to justice. She alleged that there are many more politicians who are involved in land grabbing in Kodagu.

The experts here feel that a thorough investigation might rend many planters land less.

TEN FROM KODAGU TO STATE LEVEL SCIENCE EXHIBITION;

Ten youg scientists from Kodagu will will go to state level exhibition and competition to be held at Mandya from this 21st.

Ten students from different schools were selected to present papers and exhibit their models, mostly on conservation of water prepared by their groups.

Kumari OOrja of St.Josephs convent is declared as “ Balavijnani” of Kodagu in a function held at Kushalnagar Vivekananda college yesterday.

Other groups who won the first and second place from different schools are G.R.Prajna and A Anushree, Soumya, Nutanashree, Monisha, Poopathi, Prasad, Pooja Rao, P.K.Bhavya and varsha.

Incharge DDPI Vedamurthy inaugurated the function. Chief Guest B.G.Anantha shayana stressed on the need to open a science centre in Kodagu as students here lack any such encouragement. Principal Prabhudev presided over the function. BEO Mamatha, Nagendra Prasad, Premkumar and Executive officer Devaraj spoke on the occasion.

HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT BEGINS;

The controversial Mini Hydro Electric Project at Abbi Falls began yesterday amidst high police security.

Dozens of police were posted all over the area and the work place was cordoned off.

One DySP, 5 inspectors and other officials were lined up on the main road to provide protection to Repidium power supply unit, which began work using two JCBs.

Meanwhile, convener of the Kaveri Sene, Ravi Chengappa cautioned in a press conference that the project-harming environment would be opposed tooth and nail. He alleged that the chief minister who had once promised to cancel the project has now changed the stand and commenced the work by providing police protection. He suspected hand in glove deal by the CM and the then DCM Sidda Ramaiah. He also accused that a MLA is also supporting the issue.

Ravi Chengappa said that a padayatra from Kootupole to DCs office is planed on this eighteenth in protest.

GIRL COMMITTS SUICIDE OVER MISSING FRIEND;

Alleged fall of a girl from Mallalli water falls near Somwarpet has taken a new turn with her friend committing suicide before the body of the fallen girl is traced.

Mystery shrouds the alleged death of the girl Ragini from Somwarpet. Her friend Gangambike had lodged a complaint with the police alleging that her friend died due to a fall on 12th. Police conducted an inquiry as the body could not be traced. However Gangambica committed suicide yesterday by hanging from the roof of a relatives house.

Theories of her friend Ragini escaping with three other friends who met them at water fall is ripe and investigation is on.