PEOPLE GHERAO OFFICIALS;

Madikeri March 14

Large number of protestors near Irpu yesterday blocked the officials arriving to hold public meeting.

Officials were blocked by protestors holding black flags opposing Mini Hydel project being planned at Irpu. A meeting was called by the district administration at 11.00 a.m at the Irpu Sree Rameshwara temple premises to seek public opinion.

But the protestors blocked the vehicles of the officials at Srimangala – Kutta junction and did not allow them to proceed towards the temple. They opposed the project in totto and said that officials need not hold another meeting. None of them would be allowed to enter the Irpu area in future, they warned.

Protestors forced the officials to draft a proceeding on the spot to inform the government that the project will not be allowed to take off by the public.

Environmentalist K.M.Chinnappa spoke on the occasion and said that no such project could be taken up in reserve forest area according to rules.

Horata samith president M.T.Cariappa addressed the gathering and said that peoples representatives will not be allowed inside Srimangala area if they support the project. He called upon all the representatives to come out with their clear opinion about the project. He opined that only MLC Arun Machaiah has opposed the project and is supporting their fight.

Madrira P.Vishnu spoke on the occasion and insisted on all the Gram Panchayaths to pass a resolution opposing the hydel project and send the documents to the Irpu Temple committee. Zilla Pnchayath member Balakrishna assured that he would ask the ZP to pass a resolution against the project.

Traffic on the road was hit for more than one hour.

GANJA WORTH CRORE SEIZED;

In a night long operation, police yesterday raided a place in the middle of the jungle and seized Marijuana valued a crore.

DySP Halesh Naik told this correspondent that they suspect a marijuana mafia operating from a distance. He stated that marijuana being grown in the district in different plots is smuggled out.

Naik who headed the raiding team yesterday told that they had to tread ten kilometers inside the jungle on foot. Miscreants have grown Marijuana in an almost un tread able

Region. The approach is such that the police team had to climb down steep, slippery areas and again climb up nearly ninety degree to reach the spot. Tahasildar Somaiah, who had accompanied the police to the spot had difficult time and returned in a beaten condition. PWD assistant engineer Manjunath and revenue Inspector Vishwanath also visited the spot.

While marijuana grown in 2.5 acres was chopped off, dry, ready to use leaves stored in the area was seized. Police are waiting for the court permission to destroy the crop.

Two persons living in the area reportedly escaped after seeing police.

Investigation is on.

DISTRICT PRISON TO BE SHIFTED;

District prison situated at Madikeri will be shifted to a hillock at karnangeri villge, adjacent to madikeri.

MLA K.G.Bopaiah yesterday performed Bhoomipooja at the spot and said that the new prison would be built at a cost of rupees 2.5 crores. While central government shares 75% of the cost, state government bears25%.

The new prison will house 275 men and 25 women prisoners. The building will have facility for VIP prisoners and will be built according to the guidelines of human rights regulations.

protestors blocking the road near irpu junction