POTS AND CHAIRS FLY IN AIR; RUCKUS DURING RAJYOTSAV;

Madikeri November 1, 2007

The fort premises today witnessed a ruckus situation with the protestors throwing chairs, pots and garlands in the air, shouting slogan against the deputy commissioner trying to hold Rajyotsava amidst protest.

Pandemonium broke at Fort premises as protesting public arrived, breaking police cordon under the leadership of MLA K.G.Bopaiah. The group chased parents and students, scouts, guides and NCC cadets lined up for March past. Hell broke loose as children started running helter – skelter. Police blocked the children from running away, creating further commotion. Exchange of hot words resumed between police and protestors.

Deputy commissioner who tried to enter function premises from back entrance of the fort was also blocked. Slogans were shouted against him for not taking proper action in issuing CRC and land records pertaining Jamma lands. CEo Sundar, DDPI Basheer, police officials took the wrath of people in patience.

Fort premises witnessed war like situation with people and protestors running hither and thither, police holding lathi running behind them.

However, DC arrived at the function premises from another entrance and tried to hoist the flag. Superintendent of police Trilokchandra arrived well after the protest. The protestors again rushed to the platform and obstructed flag hoisting. The protestors left the fort premises after the officials went inside the fort. Police tried to arrest the president of BJP, Sunil Subramani and MLA Bopaiah surrounded him and challenged police to arrest him. MLA abused the officials and said that they have no concern towards Kodagu.

No arrests were made till afternoon. The superintendent of police, Trilokchandra stated that the action would be taken after verifying the facts.

DC Niranjan told this correspondent that the protest was unfare and the children should not have been chased by the protestors.

Later DC Niranjan hoisted national flag with only handful of officials standing around him. Police gave him guard of honor. He read his speech.

The function was conducted as a formality with all the things scattered around with no mike and no songs.

KODAGU BANDH TOTAL;

Bandh was observed all over Kodagu with roads blocked for vehicular traffic and business establishments downing their shutters. Busses and taxis, including KSRTC remained off road in the district from morning.

Roads were blocked at Kushalnagar gate, general Thimmaiah circle Madikeri, Somwarpet, Gonicoppal and Virajpet.

MLA B.A.Jivijaya and former MLA Appachu Ranjan led the protest at Somwarpet and took to task the officials trying to hoist flag. A black cloth was tied to the flag post there.