COUPLE COMMITT SUICIDE;

Madikeri December 6, 2007

A couple committed suicide at Kodlipet, leaving a seven year old daughter orphan.The incident came to light on the night of 4th.

S.G.Ravindra, 43, a pigmy collector at DCC bank has reportedly committed suicide at his house during evening. His wife Shivakumari, 33, who was also a pigmy collector in the same bank returned home and saw her husbands body hanging from the ceiling. Unable to bear the shock, she also hung herself.

Their only daughter Kiran, 7 had gone out for tuition and returned to witness a grave seen. Neighbors found both the bodies dangling from the ceiling.

Ravindra was reportedly suffering from liver problem. He had kept a note inside his daughters note book, stating that he is responsible for his death.

Police have registered a case.

PHYSICAL INSTRUCTOR TRIES TO MOLEST STUDENT;

Tension prevailed at Shanthalli yesterday as a physical instructor attempted to molest an eighth standard student.

Villagers and parents gathered before Kumaralingeshwara high school and demanded immediate action against the teacher. PT teacher D.C.Kushalappa had allegedly dragged the student to a nearby forest and tried to molest her during day time. The girl went and complained to her parents. Kushalappa absconded as villagers began to gather before the school. A complaint is lodged.

TP DECIDES TO DISCONNECT ELECTRICITY TO OFFICIALS;

Taluk Panchayath meeting held at Ponnampet yesterday witnessed hot debates over not providing electricity to tribes living inside forests.

President Saritha Poonacha alleged that the CHESCOM officials are unnecessarily delaying providing electricity. As the topic raised hot debate, saritha instructed the CHESCOM officer present in the meeting to disconnect power connection to the concerned officials.”If they cannot provide electricity to tribes, let these officials also spend dark nights’, she quipped. She said that the instruction has to be followed strictly. She also alleged that officials are illegally using power and such persons should be booked.

Meanwhile, president Saritha and vice president Rani Narayana resorted to verbal fight as Rani tried to question an official. ‘Only president has the right to question officials and you cannot do it’ she was told. Rani said she can. The executive officer was in a fix as the representatives sought his explanation. Police sub inspector intervened and brought the situation under control.

Health department was taken to task for not submitting documents and for failing to answer questions.

PROTEST BEFORE HOSPITAL;

Different organisations at Siddapur, led by auto owners and drivers association yesterday held a protest before the health centre and alleged that it has no basic facilities and doctors.

Demanding immediate appointment of doctors, auto association president Shashidar alleged that there are no doctors here even to provide first aid. They better convert it into a resort, he quipped. Gram Panchayath member Puttaswamy , former GP president Hakim spoke on the occasion and said that Dr.Yahiraj, who should be on duty hardly comes to hospital

All the autos went off the road in protest and tension prevailed as the Zilla Panchayath president Deergakeshi Shivanna arrived at the spot with DHO Rangaiah and ZP member Sanjay. Protestors demanded assurance to appoint regular doctors and a lady specialist. Verbal brickbats began as the president said that power to appoint a doctor does not lie in their hands. People blocked the president’s vehicle as DHO tried to go away with her, without delivering satisfactory answer.

Sanjay convinced the protestors and assured to provide basic facilities to the center.

SCHOOL HIGH HANDEDNESS; TEACHERS SUSPENDED;

Madikeri December 6, 2007

Two teachers are suspended at a private school here allegedly for beating a boy.

Teacher Ashika allegedly beat a sixth standard boy yesterday. He developed severe pain at his ankle after this. According to the complaint lodged at town police station here, another teacher, Pricilla reportedly stamped on the same foot.

A group of people led by Vishwa Hindu Parishadh secretary C.N.Somesh today staged a protest before the school and demanded suspension of teachers. Headmistress mary Lobo promised the protestors to suspend them. Protestors demanded assurance in writing. As she refused to give it in writing, protestors squatted before the school to continue protest.

MLC Arun Machaiah, BEO Sridhar, councilors baby Mathew and pratibha arrived at the spot and mediated. Machaiah and BEO assured the crowd to suspend the teachers and the protestors called off agitation.

Meanwhile, the administration said that though the boy was beaten by the first teacher, Pricilla did not stamp his foot. His class friends told this correspondent that the boy had a fall in the school ground and injured his ankles. Later this injury was projected as done by teachers beating.