ROSE WOOD SEIZED;

Madikeri July 24, 2006

Rose wood logs worth rupees 1.7 lakh being smuggled was seized by forest department during transportation on Saturday.

Forest sleuths seized two vehicles near Kanive and spotted rosewood being smuggled to Mysore. According to them, the wood was picked from an estate at Hudikeri.

Three persons, John Paul, Mohammed Ali and Prasad were arrested in this connection. A mini lorry and a Maruthi omni used for this purpose were also seized.

Picture: Forest sleuths with their catch

PROTEST AGAINST GP;

DYFI organized a protest march against the Siddapur Gram Panchayath yesterday.

DYFI general secretary Bharath demanded the resignation of the elected body owing responsibility for the alleged misappropriation in the Panchayath. He stated that the elected representatives enjoy no support from the public as they are involved in misappropriation. The protestors said that they will sit in a dharna if the elected body is not dissolved.

The protest came after the Taluk Panchayath suspended the administration and appointed Taluk Panchayath executive officer as administrator recently.

Misappropriation was suspected in construction and other works taken up earlier by the administration. An inquiry is ordered.