UNDER TRIAL ESCAPES;

MADIKERI October 21, 2006

An under trail reportedly escaped yesterday from the government hospital.

In a complaint lodged at the town police station yesterday night, police said that under trial Baby alias Raju, 27 escaped from the hospital jail ward. They stated that he ran away by pushing aside the guard in charge. Looking for him in the town till night, police finally lodged a complaint.

The accused was arrested on September 22 for petty crimes in the town. He was lodged in the hospital on medical grounds.

CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS BORDER DISPUTES;

A state level conference would be held shortly to discuss the burning issues of Karnataka border, said MP Mukyamantri Chandru.

Leading the Kannada Jagruthi Jatha and entering Kodagu yesterday, Chandru stated that about 48 talukas in the state are suffering misery in the border regions and they would all be invited to discuss their problem under one roof. Addressing the crowd at Madikeri yesterday evening Chandru regretted that even after fifty years after the status of Kannada, Kannadigas have to fight for their right and existence in their own land. Informing that the Jatha will tour from Belgaum to Karnataka, a detailed report would be submitted to the government for implementation, he said. He notedthat lack of unity and continuity in Kannadigas is the result why reports of Mahishi, Mahajan and Dr.Nanjundappa are not implemented. Those files remain with the government untouched, he ridiculed.

Chandru called upon the politicians to be careful while dealing with the border and said that irrigation minister K.S.Ishwarappa has allowed people across the border to buy lands in Karnataka. He advised the government not to encourage investors on the soil of Karnataka, if they do not respect Kannada.

Former minister M.C.Nanaiah called upon the people to solve border problems amicably and live like Indians. He regretted that the litterateurs who have won Kannada awards are eager to damage the unity in Karnataka and called upon the artists to strengthen the interests of Kannada.

MLA K.G.Boapaiah stated that the government is having an apathetic look at Kodagu, bordering Kerala. He appealed to the government to solve the border issue which is also hampering the growth of Kodagu.

Kodava Academy president Dotty Poovaiah spoke in Kodava language and appealed to the society not to destroy Kodava language and its identity. Kannada sahitya parishath president T.P.Ramesh spoke on the occasion and called upon the people to remove the ignorance as most people consider the problem of Kannada is concerned only to Bangalore. G.Chidvilas and group sang state song and Liyakath Ali sang Elli Bhurame Deva sannidi…B.A.Shamshudding welcomed the gathering. Muneer Ahmad and G.Chidvilas compeered the programme. Taluk Sahitya parishath president Baby Mathew proposed vote of thanks.

Earlier, the jatha was received at Virajpet and a function was held with MLA Basavaraju in chair.

Picture: Dignitaries on the dais during jagruthi jata function at madikeri.