SHOP SET ON FIRE; TIRADE AT VIRAJPET;

Madikeri November 11, 2007

Merchant community at Virajpet staged an angry protest against police yesterday and demanded the transfer of the sub inspector.

The anger came as a shop was set on fire by miscreants at night causing huge loss. A grocery shop belonging to one Ismail was set on fire by breaking open the rear door, causing huge loss. Similar cases of shop burning was reported atleast four times in four places of the town in the past forty days, the merchants alleged. They said that the victims Rashid, Shaddik and hassain had lodged complaint to the police in previous incidents and police have failed to find the culprits.

Circle inspector mallesh arrived at the spot and assured to catch the culprits within ten days. But the merchants set a target till Monday the 12th and demanded transfer of the sub inspector, if they fail to arrest the accused.

BODY FOUND; STUDENTS MURDER SUSPECTED;

Body of a second PU student, Darshan was found in Kootuhole river yesterday and parents suspect it to be murder.

According to parents, Darshan had been to Gaalibeedu village, last Monday and had never returned. He had told the parents that he will drop a friend to gaalibeedu in his bike and return.

Yesterday, his body was floating in Kootupole River. Police found a cut on his head caused by a bill hook and the parents have lodged the complaint of murder.

A mobile phone was found in his pocket and police have taken to custody for enquiry couple of people listed in the phone call.

According to a source, a fried at Gaalibeedu had borrowed his cell phone and had not returned it. Darshans parents forced him to get the cell phone from his friend. It is suspected that he was killed over the issue by his friends. Investigation is on. His body was cremated today.

HUTTARI TO BE CELEBRATED ON 25TH;

The harvest festival ‘ Huttai’ (Puttari name) would be celebrated on this 25th.

The community heads and astrologers sat at padi iggutappa temple today and decided to celebrate the festival on 25th all over Kodagu.

The date of Huttari festival would be decided by ‘Devatakkas’ and astrologers each year after referring to the positions of stars and planets.

It was decided to tie the ‘ Nere” at paadi at 7 p.m and cut the first harvest at 8 pm and prasdam would be distributed at 9pm. Others all over the district would repeat the ritual after fifteen minuites from the above schedule.