OFFICIALS IN DARK ABOUT COL.VASANTH;

Madikeri August 2, 2007

The district was in dark about the death and whereabouts of Col. Vasanth slain by terrorists in Kashmir on Tuesday.

News spread that a colonel belonging to Kodagu was slain by terrorists in Kashmir.

The journalists enquired with the police. They said that they are not aware of any such person living at Madikeri or elsewhere in Kodagu. The Sainik board was approached. They also said that they are not aware. The Deputy Commissioners office also gave the same reply. It was left to this correspondent to investigate the fact.

Col Vansant’s father owns an estate “ Shanthi” at Mekeri, five kilometers from Madikeri. They are living there since ten years and the district administration is unaware of it. A neighbor, planter Ratnakar rai asked that can a district administration catch a terrorist or a naxalite from hide outs when it is not aware of an officer’s existence in town since ten years.

His father N.K.Venugopal told this correspondent that his son had called him on the night of Monday and said that he is bursting a terrorist’s hideout in the morning. But by Tuesday morning, he was shot in the exchange of fire. While a soldier died on the spot, four terrorists were also killed. The operation lasted for two hours and Col.Vasanth was bleeding till then. Though he was shifted to hospital, he had already breathed his last.

Venugopal said that his son was involved in another encounter with the terrorists fifteen days back and four terrorists were killed in that. He had also fought with terrorists in Oori sector when terrorists were trying to cross the border. He had sustained permanent shoulder injury then. Venugopal said that he is proud of his son. At 78, Venugopal has lost both his sons. The elder son died four years ago of cardiac arrest.

Col.Vasanths wife Subhashini, 36 is a dancer. She has performed in western countries also. She has to now live alone with her two daughters Rukmini and Yashoda aged ten and seven.

Venugopal, who is proud of his son who died in the field killing terrorists with a strong heart, says that people should be made aware that how much the family suffers. “We do not need money or sympathy from the society, but it is enough if they realize the agony the widows and their small children undergo during such calamities, he says.

OPERATION ELEPHANT FROM TODAY;

Kodagu and Hassan forest departments began operation elephant camp to capture two rogue elephants at Kodlipet border.

Tamed elephants harsha, Bharata, Balarama, Gajendra, Abhimanyu and Srirama are pressed to service with a band of officials, staff, doctors and tribes.