TIMBER LOOT NEAR MALDARE;

Madikeri August 25, 2006

Valuable teak wood tree looting is unearthed at Siddeshwara hills at Maldare.

A team of villagers with this correspondent took pictures of stems of huge trees cut in this range by culprits. The rampant timber cutting was carried out within five kilometers from forest office, raising suspicion of the involvement of the officials.

The visiting team which climbed the hill found plates used for eating food and arrack sachets. The trees were cut around an Eshwara temple situated on top.

The villagers said that a forest post existed near the temple earlier. The same was shifted with the reason that the wild elephants pose them threat. Tree felling is unabatedly going on in Siddalingapur range also, according to villagers.

A smugglers group is suspected to be involved in the racket and officials are urged to stop timber looting and bring to book the culprits.

GOVERNMENT TO FALL;

The state government is suffering from kinds of illness and is going to collapse any time, predicted former minister Rani Satish.

Addressing press conference here Rani Satish told here yesterday that the Mining scandal should be handed over to CBI for truth to come out.

She stated that the Congress wing of women is taking up many community based projects and the district presidents are instructed to work for the development villages. She said that an oath was taken to implement 33% quota for women on august fifteenth and congress supreme Sonia Gandhi will also be informed about the decision taken.

Looking back at her term as Kannada and Culture minister, Rani Satish said that several developmental works were initiated during her tenure. She regretted that the state awards limited to fifty during her time is now increased to a shameful level. Followers of politicians will also get awards today even if they are not eligible, she ridiculed.

Questioned about the historical place Gadduge at Madikeri, she said that lakhs of rupees was misused in the name of its rejuvenation during her tenure and two officials were suspended in connection with that. However no further action is initiated as yet.

ROBBED IN BANGALORE

A resident of Kodagu was robbed at Bangalore yesterday as he boarded down from night service bus.

In a complaint lodged with Cottonpet police, Francis a resident of Kodagu stated that unknown culprits robbed him near Khoday circle by pointing a knife. He said that he was walking alone and a gang rounded him up, snatched away cash, ATM card and a golden chain.

Investigation is on.