WATER WATER EVERY WHERE, NOT A PLACE TO SHIT;

Madikeri July 20, 2007

The title might look absurd. But it is the reality in rural Kodagu, at least inside the houses.

Low lying houses in rural areas have a problem with their toilets and septic tanks over flowing with water. The reason? Spring from under ground is sprouting every where.

Not only from inside the houses, water springs popping up on the middle of the roads.

Many Villagers from Edapala and Doddagundi complain that they cannot use their toilets as they are over flowing. Even septic tank covers are broken in few places and thee contents are mixed with the rain water flowing on roads and drainages.

Traffic is blocked from kadanga to yadapala and even to Doddagundi village as water from under ground has developed severe cracks in the road. Tar road has become soft in many spots and busses and other heavy vehicles cannot ply on this road.

Planter Sheru Subbaiah told this correspondent that public and students are put to hardship as they have to cover the distance they were covering by busses now by walk.

While water is flowing on road due to drainage problem in many places, it is taking birth in the middle of road in certain pockets.

Subbaiah has urged the PWD to come for assistance.

Manhole with broken lid

Road damaged because of spring

Spring spot in the middle of the road

POLICE ON HIGH ALERT ABOUT NAXALS MOVEMENT;

Kodagu being the border district to Chickmagalore, police here are on high alert about any suspicious movement.

D.S.Nirvanappa, a state committee member of CPM at Somwarpet alleged that police have raided his house thrice since he is a member of CPM. Denying any kind of link with the naxals he stated that he belongs to Lenin’s group and not a supporter of Mao.

He complained that police are following every move of his and also those who visit him. Even my cell phone calls are being tapped, he said.

Kodagu could be a safe haven for naxlites with western ghat stretching from Chickmagalore. Reliable sources stated that police suspect that the Naxals might make their hidings in Pushpagiri and other high mountain ranges after police have spread dragnet in other Malnad regions to catch them.

Armed police are seen with increased number in the border areas of Kodagu.

Nirvanappa said that his party will not support Naxals wielding guns. He however stated that the government is killing innocents instead of assisting poor people to make a living. And Naxals are retaliating the attack, he opined.

JAMMA ISSUE; MLC WARNS OF NON CO OPERATION MOVEMENT;

MLC Arun machaiah yesterday announced in the assembly that people of Kodagu will begin non co operation movement if the government fails to settle the Jamma land issue by this 25th.

Bombarding the silence from the side of the government inspite of protests and bandhs against the governments circulars considering Kodagu as forest region and denying the owners of their rights, Machaiah unfurled the history of Kodagu which dates back to 1200 years. There is mention of Kodagu in Skanda purana, history of Hunsur. While the government is regularizing encroached lands by Mutts and other influential lot, it is removing the right of owners from their own lands, he regretted.

He cautioned that schools and colleges will be closed, revenue offices in the district will not be allowed to function if the government ignores their demand, he shouted.

Mukyamantri Chandru, Dutta and other members voiced their support to machaiah and said that the issue should be settled immediately. He ridiculed the chief minister and others who have gone to peform Baagina Pooja at KRS. He said that they do not have the courtesy to invite the elected representatives from Kodagu for the pooja. They need our Cauvery water, coffee and other benefits, but not the people of Kodagu, he quipped.

SHETTAR TO CONSULT EXPERTS;

Revenue minister Jagadish Shettar clarified in the session that the government will take a decision about the Jamma issue after consulting legal experts.

Answering a question from MLA Basavaraju and MLA P.G.R Sindhya, minister said that there are technical hitches to clear the circulars issued by the revenue secretary Jamdar and it will be solved in due course.