FAMILY OF DALITHS OSTRACISED;

Madikeri July 26, 2007

A family of Daliths was ostracized at T.Shettigeri in South Kodagu by their own colony members.

Residents of Kallumotte Paisary have ostracized H.S.Muthu and family, according to DSS convenor Govindappa. Addressing a press conference, he stated that the family was ostracized for a silly dispute over sharing of water. They are not allowed to touch water or visit any houses. They are not given any work and the family has no income since they are daily wagers.

A complaint was lodged to police stating that they were ostracized since fourteenth. The social welfare department officials visited the colony and distributed ten kilograms of rice to the family.

Muthu who was also present in the press conference said that he will hold indefinite protest before the Deputy Commissioners office from this eighth demanding justice.

He said that two ladies from other community forced Muthu and her husband Shivu not to touch public water. The couple lodged a complaint with the police. The ladies appealed the couple not to lodge complaint. Since they did not budge, the ladies influenced the colony not to allow them to draw water and not to give them any labour.

SOLDIERS BODY LAID TO REST;

Soldier Thimmaiah alias Ramesh, slain in terrorists attack at Poonch in Jammu region was laid to rest with police honours.

A touching scene prevailed today in the morning as the body arrived from Bangalore. The cries from the young wife Asha and family rented the skies. The body was kept at COC hall in the morning for public to take the last glimpse. Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of police placed wreath and paid their last respects. Representatives from Kodava Samaj and other organizations were among those who placed wreaths.

Later the body was taken out in a procession to the Kodava grave yard and cremated with state honors. People in large number witnessed the last rites with anguish and pain.

Thimmaiahs brother Cariappa told this correspondent that the terrorists had threatened to retaliate a killing of their leader before 25th July. Terrorists were killed by Rashtruya Rifles wing recently. On 19th, five trucks were moving in a convoy. Terrorists identified the rashtriya Rifles truck and rained bullets on it. The driver and another soldier got killed on the spot while Thimmaiah suffered severe injuries. He was shifted to Udampur hospital and he breathed his last on 23rd evening.