LOKAYUKTA RECEIVES APPEALS;

Madikeri August 7, 2007

DySP M.S.Shivamurthy of Lokayukta department here received appeals from public at Somwarpet yesterday.

In a meet organized at Mahila Samaj building, people submitted 12 complaints to Lokayukta. Talking to scribes later, Shivamurthy said that the complaints would be forwarded to state head. He said that he has so far received around 27 complaints from public after he took charge. He opined that people should not lodge complaint with personal vengeance against officials and genuine cases should not go unnoticed.

FARMERS DECIDE TO PROTEST BEFORE FOREST OFFICE;

Farmers in Somwarpet taluk have decided to launch a protest before ACFO office against the unabated elephant menace.

Villagers led by Omprasad, K.P.Muddaiah and others called a press conference at Somwarpet and said that herds of elephants are camping at Belur, Kusbur, Harekoppa, Gudugur villages and damaging crops.

They have appealed to forest officials to chase the herd away and protect their crops including coffee. If the officials fail to respond their appeal immediately, they are going to organize a protest, they said.

ELEPHANT MENACE AT KUTTA;

A similar situation arises at Kutta region in Nagarahole national park area.

A herd has destroyed around fifteen coconut plants, plantain and coffee estate.

Residents of Kutta have complained that the handful of forest guards who are on duty are ill equipped to chase the pachyderms and the herds are creating fear among people.

The residents have threatened to protest if the forest department fails to listen to their repeated pleas to shift the elephants.