YOUTH TORTURED TO DEATH;

Madikeri June 19, 2007

A youth was tortured to death at Bengoor village near Ponnampet by unknown persons the day before.

According to police, dead body of Kolera Lokesh, 32 was found hanging from a guava tree near a paddy field yesterday morning. One Aramanamada Somanna noticed the body hanging from a tree and informed police.

On investigation police and public noticed deep wounds in the youth’s eye, genitals, hands and legs. Public gathered in large number and demanded that the autopsy be conducted at his house only.

People said that they have seen one Robin taking Lokesh to his house the previous evening. It is suspected that Lokesh is tortured to death by his friends for reasons yet to be established. Police are looking for culprits.

UNIVERSITY OKAYS LAND FOR PVT BUSTAND;

State University of Agriculture research station has technically okayed the request by the district administration to provide its land for the purpose of private bustand.

Visiting its property at Madikeri yesterday Chnacellor P.G.Chengappa stated that though they have agreed to hand over land, the district administration has failed to provide alternate land to carry on its activities. Chengappa said that land could be given to university either at Madikeri or near Ponnampet where they have their college.

He was questioned is there a permanent solution to the vacancy demand by the students. This question was asked as the students of forestry colleges at Ponnampet and Sirsi went on for a long strike demanding job assurance. They were opposing direct appointment of RFOs stating that the graduates from these colleges cannot find employment. Chengappa said that the government did not stir by the strike and it provides only fifty percent of the job to the students passing out of these colleges.

He said that additional training being given at Coimatore college would be provided in these colleges to create more job opportunity, he said.

Ponnampet college would be developed at a cost of rupees seventy five lakh, he said. A laboratory and a girls hostel will come up , he disclosed. He said that a scheme to preserve and develop different species in the district would be taken up under the title ‘CAFENET’.

DC WALKS OUT OF MEETING;

Adding to the row of contovercy the deputy Commissioner of Kodagu is targeted with, DC Subodh Yadav yesterday walked out of the Zilla Panchayath KDP meeting.

Subodh Yadav arrived late to the KDP meeting held here yesterday. ZP member V.P.Shashidar asked him to explain why he arrived late. Dc asked him should we continue the meeting or not. Shashidar with a raised voice asked him again to explain why he was late. DC immediately retaliated by asking ‘who are you to question me?”

An enraged Shashidar said that the president will decide whether the meeting has to be continued or not, but who are you to tell that? Pandemonium broke in the meeting and couple of shouting members rushed towards the well protesting DCs statement.

An agitated DC walked out of the meeting hall without uttering a word.

The members demanded explanation from the president Ashok who was witnessing the happenings without uttering a word. Later a resolution was passed condemning the attitude of the DC who walked out of the meeting without the permission from the president.

Subodh yadav has taken charge from the Chief Executive officer Sundar Naik, who got transferred recently.

The meeting discussed various issues in the DCs absence.