TRIBES TO CELEBRATE AUGUST 15 AS BLACK DAY;

Madikeri July 31, 2006

Different organizations representing Tribes cautioned the government that Independence Day would be celebrated as black day.

Representative Kudiyara Muthappa, J.P.Raju and others stated here that they wish to stage a protest on the said day as the government has failed to implement the 2005 ordinance. They stated that a National level delegation, including both of them met the central minister Pranab Mukarjee recently and placed their demands.

They alleged that the forest department is harassing Tribes living inside the forest area. Though they have legal protection, forest department is ignoring it, they accused.

Alleging that the interest of tribes is not in governments priority, they mocked at the officials stating that they come to Coorg only with a jeep load of materials and return in lorries, looting And CONVERTING FOREST WEALTH INTO FURNITURE. Forest produces are not being useful to Tribes, they opined.

They stated that the protest would be held if the government fails to implement ordinance before August 15.

ACTION PLAN OF RUPEES 71.37 LAKH;

The sub committee of City Municipal Council has chalked out a rupees 71.37 lakh plan to take up developmental works in the city.

Meeting presided over by CMC member Abdul Razak decided to call for quotations to take up construction of foot path, drainage and road repair works.

The committee instructed the officials to complete the works before Dasara.

The plan includes repair of CMC school at rupees two lakh, CMC quarters repair at rupees 3.16 lakh, bustand repair at rupees 75 thousand, pump house repair at rupees rupees 4 lakh, concrete road at Ganapathy street – Daswal at rupee 3 lakh and AV school repair at rupees one lakh.

ROSE WOOD SEIZED;

The forest department has seized rosewood worth rupees eight lakh and arrested six persons.

Acting on a tip off, forest sleuths led by RFO M.B.Monnappa rounded up a group of smugglers dressing rosewood worth rupees eight lakh in a private land at Oorugutti near Kodlipet on Saturday.

Six persons were arrested and two vehicles, a lorry and a Maruthi van was also seized along with rosewood logs.