MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF PIGEONS CREATES PANIC;

Madikeri February 21, 2006

Around fifteen pigeons in regulated market yard at Kushalnagar died yesterday creating panic.

Residents gathered before RMC yard as the birds have died mysteriously.

They fear that the Bird flu must have hit the town.

While stray dogs ate few birds, others are kept covered for the veterinary department to take action.

The district administration is yet to react.

However, the deputy commissioner has called an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss the measures to be initiated to avoid Bird Flu.

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HOSTEL INMATES FALL SICK;

29 hostel inmates fell sick at Maragodu near here after eating ghee rice, yesterday.

District surgeon Dr.Palekar told that four among the 29 were in serious condition due to food poisoning and others are recovering.

Around 50 inmates of Backward Community Hostel had ghee rice on the night of 19th and started complaining of stomachache and nausea. As the complaints grew, they were shifted to Madikeri hospital. The team of doctors attended on children.

Few are discharged and others are being treated.

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ELEPHANT FALLS INTO WELL;

An elephant roaming from a forest has fallen into a forty feet well in a hamlet near Virajpet.

Couple of residents living in Edamakki village woke to deep trumpeting noise from inside the well. They discovered that a pachyderm had fallen into the well. Forest officials were informed.

Efforts are on since yesterday to bring the pachyderm up. Excavators are pressed to service to widen the well to make way for the elephant to climb up. Efforts are still on.