TIGER SKIN SELLERS ARRESTED

Madikeri oct. 27Two natives of Kodagu have bessn arrested by the Bangalore Forest Moblile squad and they were handed over to Hunsur police for further action. The Bangalore Forest mobile cell officer Surendra Naik along with a disguised merchant tackled the tiger skin dealing and nabbed the accused. Pretending as the tiger skin purchaser Naik with the help of disguised merchant pretended to purchase the tiger skin for high price at Hunsur. The Skin was kept in the house of palekanda karumbaiah at Ammathi- Ontiangadi Village, Kodagu since 15myears. Sullimada Monnappa, native of Kodagu who is residing at Bangalore Was the mediator for the deal. Both accused are in police custody.. Maruthi Van No. KA12 M 9198 used to carry the skin has been seized,

SOLDIER DEAD

Madikeri Oct. 27 Chakkera Harish(43) a soldier from Konageri-Hudikeri Village, Kodagu died at Shrinagar. regioin due to a bomb blast by the terrorists...As per the reliable information, Chakkera Harish and 30 others soldiers were moving in a vehicle in Shrinagar border area yesterday to carry the security work in the region. The terrorists blasted a bomb and three soldiers killed on the spot including Harish from Kodagu.He had served for more than 22 years in the Border Security Force. He left his wife Thithira Maina and 12 years daughter and 8 years son. The body will be brought to the native for cremation.

COFFEE GROWERS DEAMND TO BE CONSIDERED

Madikeri Oct. 27. Coffee growers demands will be considered and problems will be solved soon -assured the Coffee Board Chairman Krishna Rao. He was speaking in a meeting held at Coffee Board, Bangalore. The grower organisation representatives have attended. They demanded the extension of loan repayment period under the Special component scheme. They asked the period up to next year March end. The grower leaders also asked the reduction in the interest charged for coffee and to fix the rate at 6% per annum. The prevailing interests starts from 14 % and in some cases it ends up to 24 %. The Comark cooperative organisation should be revoked,, the growers should be supported by the Govt. to grow trees in their estates are the other demands. The Coffee Board finance secretary Shankari Murali, Kodagu Coffee Growers federation president katti Mandaiah, Karnataka Coffee Glowers Federation president Athikatte Jagannath, Arehalli federation president Rajoo Gowda, Somwarpet association president B.M.Suresh, Coffee Board member B.D.Manjunath and others were present.