SELF MADE LAW TO BANISH VILLAGERS;

Madikeri January 5

While the constitutional law binds every citizen in this country, a village in Kodagu has its own laws and regulations to punish people who go against their wishes.

Soorlabbi is a remote village where basic facilities are also a remote reality. Only one bus plies to the village up to a destination, people have to cross-hillocks, and streams to reach catch the bus.

Even under a hazardous condition, villagers here are punished by the few who try to rule them under muscle power. A person meeting his in-laws in the next village has to pay a fine of rupees one hundred. A patient crossing this village to approach a doctor has to pay fine to the ‘Koota” formed by this group.

Even people who were once supporting this group and cut their ties with them are punished more.

Anonymous letters are being sent to media from innocent villagers who want protection. They state that even a gram panchayath president is also banished by this group. People who visit him with their pleas also pay fine. Extra fine has to be paid if they accept a cup of water even!

Is their police in the district? Is their a district administration which is turning a blind eye to this ugly, illegal system which exists, they question.

We are returning to Stone Age, a time when a thing like civilization did not exist, an old man whispers to this reporter.