MLA VISITS RAIN DAMAGE AREAS

Madikeri June 9, 2006

MLA K. G. Bopaiah yesterday visited cluster of villages affected by rainfall.

He inspected remote and neglected villages like, Muttlu, Hacchinadu, Kalur and Hammiyala, spoke to agriculturists.

He witnessed heart-rending scenes like uncut paddy sprouting in the field, sprouting inside the huts where they are stored due to dampness. Decaying vegetables in the field. MLA lambasted the officials who never visited these villages and questioned as to how they judge the loss.

He told scribes that he has already written to the Chief Minister and revenue minister about the actual plight of poor farmers living in remote villages. The matter will be taken up during the session, he said.

Bopaiah urged the district administration to visit the villages immediately and report the actual loss to government. He said that about 81 families are affected due to heavy rainfall.

These villages receive approximately 300 inches of rainfall each year.

Zilla Panchayath vice president Neelamma, taluk Panchayath president Talur Kishore Kumar and others were present during the visit.

DRIVER ARRESTED;

Superintendent of police Ramachandra Rao informed scribes that the driver who caused school van accident at Kushalnagar two days ago was arrested.

He was talking to scribes at Kushalnagar after visiting the spot of accident, which claimed the life of one student and injured more than two dozen schoolchildren. He stated that strict action would be initiated against any school vehicles flouting the law and over loading. Speed breakers would be installed to school vehicles in future, he said.

Meanwhile, RTO Satyanarayan and break inspectors visited the spot. They stated that the licence of the driver causing accident would be suspended with the immediate effect.

Vehicles flouting the traffic rules would be seized and fined, he warned. Many organizations at Kushalnagar called press conferences and urged the school authorities to pay compensation to the families of the deceased student and others whose children are badly injured.

Around ten students are still undergoing treatment at Madikeri, Mysore and Mangalore hospitals. Kushalnagar police arrested driver Nagesh.

ELEPHANT ATTACKS MOTHER AND A DAUGHTER;

A lady and her son were brought to Madikeri hospital yesterday, attacked by a tusker.

According to police, Boji, 40 and her daughter Sangitha, 11 were attacked by a herd of elephant at Kalkur in South Kodagu on sixth.

Boji and her daughter were attacked by the herd near their house inside the forest as they were walking towards a near by shop. The duo escaped from the jaws of death as the herd showed no interest to chase them Boji has fractures as an elephant kicked at her.

They were shifted to Virajpet hospital and later directed to madikeri hospital. They are out of danger, the doctors said.

The villagers in South Kodagu have complained that the forest department is not taking any interest to chase the elephant herd which is causing life and property threat.