DISTRICT GEARING UP FOR VIDHANA SOUDA CHALO;

Madikeri July 23, 2007

District is gearing up for Vidhana souda chalo programme and taluk level functions are being held.

Kodagu Astitva Horata Samity organized its second meeting at Somwarpet yesterday and called upon the people to join the protest in large number. The Samity is organizing Vidhana souda chalo protest at Bangalore on 30th. It can be recalled that MLC Arun Machaiah had warned government of non co operation movement from this 30th if the government fails to fulfill their demand by this 25th.

Addressing an awareness meeting at Somwarpet yesterday MLA B.A.Jivijaya described the grave situation of Jamma in Kodagu and said that the government will not hesitate to pull the rights of coffee planters away even from their coffee estates. Presiding over the meeting he said that the act of denying right over the land is an illegal move by the government. He called upon the people to organize to fight for their rights.

President of Akila Kodava Samaj, Matanda Monnappa said that the government has challenged the people and we have to show our strength. ZP member V.P.Shashidar opined that people of Kodagu should take determination force of Mandya citizens in protesting against the atrocities.

BJP, JDS and other party leaders, elected representatives and others spoke on the occasion.

Horata Samity president Mallengada Dada Belliappa, president of Bangalore Kodava Samaj, Berera Shambu Aiyanna, Bollanda kaverappa and president of Somwarpet Kodava samaj, M.P.Vasu, president of Bangalore Gowda federation and others were present.

ELEPHANTS CREATE RUCKUS AT KUTTA REGION;

Planter Jodumada Surath Subbaiah has told this correspondent that elephant herds are causing huge crop loss and creating ruckus in kutta region.

Cluster of villages around Kutta have been experiencing continues loss of crops and seedlings. Coffee estates are damaged beyond repair in certain pockets and labourers are hesitating to enter work spots as elephants are trespassing into estates and villages even during day time.

Subbaiah alleged misappropriation by forest department in fixing solar fence and digging trenches to avoid elephant entry.

THREE INJURED IN ATTACK;

Close on the heels of a person being killed by elephant attack at Siidapur region, three persons sustained serious injuries in a latest attack reported on Saturday.

A tusker attacked the trio Chandra, madeva and Praksh in an estate at Siddapur while they were walking.

The three of them are admitted to Siddapur hospital for treatment. They are out of danger, the doctors said.

Visiting the hospitalGram Panchayath president Bopanna, taluk panchayath member raja rao and other representatives said that an elephant gave birt to a calf inside the estate of one Karnaiayyana Geetha and a herd is protecting the calf. The situation is paniky and forest department should take action to chase the elephants away, they urged.