CONVERSION ATTEMPT: 5 ARRESTED.

Madikeri Jan..4 Five accused are arrested in an attempt for conversion of Hindus to Christianity at Sigehosur village near Kushalnagar.

Shivaram, Radhamma and three others were convincing the villagers to opt Christianity. The villagers protested and complained to Kushalnagar police .Kudige Panchayath members K.P.krishna,T.P.Hamid and Jagannath and Z.P.member Raja rao took the lead of the complaint group.

SOUTH KODAGU TOTAL BANDH

Madikeri Jan.4 South kodagu starting from Kutta border area to Birunani, ending at Virajpet and in between Gonikoppal areas today Total Bandh was observed. The Hindu activists with the support of a fraction of BJP leaders protested the arrest of Hindu activist on the night of 2nd by Gonikoppal police. Chakkera Manu an RSS office bearer was arrested by the police after the thaluk M.L.A who also belong to B. J..P H.D.Basavaraju complained to the police. M.L.A in his complaint alleged that Chakkera Manu threatened his life and broken the window glasses of his house pelting stones on the 2nd night. Manu was arrested on the incident reported night itself.

The Hindu organizations and the thaluk BJP wing called for a bandh against the arrest and protested the complaint by M.L.A They also condemned the act of booking case under atrocity act. The complication arised after difference of opinion created between the M.L.A Basavaraju and Chakkera Manu while discussing about the recently held Hindu Samajotsava at Gonikoppal. Chakkera Manu had worked hard for he success of the Samajotsava.

Today buses did not ply in South Kodagu. Rare private vehicles could be seen. Schools, colleges, banks were closed. No untoward incident reported. The bandh call was given from morning to evening 5 P.M. Even 90% medical shops were also closed .Activity was standstill in Virajpet thaluk today.

Photo: A tree was cut and road blocked by the bandh activists at Virajpet