GUN BATTLE AT NAGARAHOLE RANGE ;

MADIKERI August 28, 2006

sleuths of forest opened fire at a group of smugglers and seized valuable teak wood at Nagarahole National Park on 25th evening.

According to sources, smugglers were found cutting teak wood at Metikuppe forest range in the evening. The smugglers did not oblige even after the forest sleuths ordered them to stop cutting. The four member forst staff opened fire to disperse the smugglers who fled the scene.

It was suspected that one person from the smugglers group must have received gun injury and yet managed to run. Eye witnesses suspect he was either dead or seriously injured.

Mysore police superintendent S.Murugan and other forest and police officials visited the place.

Investigation is on.

CNC ACCUSES DC;

The secretary general of Kodava National Council, N.U.nachappa has said that the Deputy Commissioner is harassing public while providing CRC.

Releasing a report here, Nachappa said that the deputy Commissioner Subodh yadav has little knowledge about land tenures of Kodagu and is forcing impractical rules upon people.

An advocate himself, Nachappa stated that the new rules set by the DC regarding CRC is a clear violation of Karnataka land Regulation Act 1964, column 79(2), sub class 202.

Nachappa said that the land system in Kodagu is peculiar with joint families owning one land. The Deputy Commissioner cannot implement rules applicable to other places, he opined.

He has appealed to the president of India and Chief minister to rectify the problem, the press release said.