RETURN OF THE FLOODS; SCHOOLS CLOSED

Madikeri August 6, 2007

A one day holiday is declared to schools today as incessant rainfall is battering Coorg since yesterday.

Rivers are flowing high by inundatingbridges and Triveni Sangam area in Bhagamandala. Life is cutoff in many villages, students and villagers are unable to set out to towns.

A huge tree fell on a transformer at Kargunda village and pushed most parts of the district into darkness. Electricity and telephone failures have become very common factors this season.

DDPI Basheer said that a day’s holiday is declared and will talk to the Deputy Commissioner to extend it in case of necessity.

PEOPLE OPPOSE GREATER TALACAUVERY SCHEME;

MLA K.G.Bopaiah yesterday said that the government is preparing to accept another scheme ‘greater talacauvery’ and push further hurdles to people of Kodagu.

Greater talacauvery scheme is to demark most part of the Coorg as pristine forest of Western ghat and blocking activities of people in these areas and vacating them from such places. Kodagu Existence committee which had fought against the Jamma issue recently will have to take this matter up again and see that this scheme is not implemented, he said. He lambasted the so called environmentalists and said that they have prepared such a scheme and are using their influence to see that such a scheme is implemented in the district.

Former minister M.C.Nanaiah spoke on the occasion and said that the state government has no self respect as officials can create havoc in a district like Coorg without the notice of the government. He was referring to the Jamma circulars which created fire among the Jamma holders.

He stated that though the Chief minister has announced that he will take back the circulars harming the interest of the Jamma holders, no official circulars have reached the district administration.

MLC Arun Machaiah said that the fighting spirit of the people should continue till the government finds a permanent solution to land tenure.

Former MLC A.K.Subbaiah spoke on the occasion and said that the government did not reverse its order on jamma due to large heartedness, it was forced to do it looking at the strength of the people.

The meeting was held at Siddapur and M.N.Belliappa, Vasu of Horata Samity and others were present.