PEOPLE PROTEST MINING AT SOMWARPET;

Madikeri October 5, 2007

Former MLA B.B.Shivappa and villagers of Yelakanur yesterday protested against mining activity, what they call as illegal, going on in the village attached to Somwarpet.

B.B.Shivappa told reporters that the government had stopped mining in the area and the contractors have begun the work using political pressure. He said that mining is going on in about twenty places at a time creating fear in the village. An old cave temple is also at stake due to mining and the government has to stop the activity in the interest of the people, he urged.

Villagers held a meeting and said that they will decide about the future action to stop the mining activity which is damaging their crops and creating cracks in land and houses.

THIEVES BREAK IRPU TEMPLE;

Thieves have broken into Irpu Rameshwara temple at Srimangala and made away with coin boxes. Fifteen to twenty thousand rupees are stolen from’Hundies’ the temple committee president has said in a complaint.

It was alleged that thieves broke into temple on second night and the priest noticed it the next day. Two ‘Hundis’ located outside the temple and inside were brocken and a brass vessel holding cash was taken away. The temple authorities said that police are not keeping vigil in the area and theft has occurred due to their negligence.

It can be recalled that line of shops at Srimangala were stolen on the same night and a protest was organized by public protesting against the police negligence.

MERCHANT SHOOTS TO DEATH;

A merchant at Gonicoppa shot himself to death at his house yesterday.Kechettira Shankari, 55 killed himself by shooting for an unknown reason. His wife Pramila is running a nursing home at Gonicoppa. He leaves son and wife. Police have registered a case.