HOLY TREE CREATES TENSION;

Madikeri February

Cutting of a holy tree at Somwarpet has created tension.

A tree ( Ficus religiosa ) considered as holy and worshipped by many in Somwarpet was found cut yesterday raising strong reaction from the public. Two statues erected under the tree were shifted to a corner but the tree cutters and the wall surrounding the tree at the bottom is also damaged due to the falling of branches.

The chief officer of the Town Panchayath told this correspondent that two residents of Somwarpet, Chintu and Shamprasad had sought permission to build a temple near the tree. The Town Panchayath had refused permission and the duo cut the tree to avenge.

The two idols were also displaced by them.

Few years back a cement wall was built around the tree at the bottom by a PWD contractor Chinnaswamy as people were performing pooja.

The Town Panchayath is going to lodge a complaint with the police and forest department to investigate the case.

PROTEST AGAINST BAD BRIDGE;

Residents of south Kodagu yesterday held a protest against the dilapidated condition of the Poojekal Bridge near Kutta and the official apathy.

The ZP member K.M.Balakrishna, Gram Panchayath president Ramakrishna and others led the protest and held traffic for more than two hours. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on either sides of the road.

The protestors alleged that the PWD officials have ignored their demand and ultimatum of February 10th to announce the rejuvenation plan. An ultimatum was served last month by public after holding a protest.

The bridge built by the British is in a highly dilapidated condition. It has caused many accidents. Yet the department has been witnessing the fun, playing with the life of public.

Assistant executive engineer Sudir Kumar arrived at the spot and tried to convince the protestors. He was forced to commit action and he called the state department officials. The KRDC chief Handigolkar spoke over telephone and informed that the bridge would be newly built at a cost of rupees one crore, along with another bridge in south Kodagu. Proposal to build 136 bridges in Karnataka was placed before the government, he said.

Protestors said that they are not prepared to accept any assurance and need action. They warned that a last ultimatum of February 20 is being served to them to come out with sanction. Police bandobasth was organized as large number of people had gathered to protest.

PROTEST BEFORE ICICI BANK;

Customers held a protest before ICICI bank here alleging breach of agreement.

The customers entered the bank and resorted to verbal attack against the manger.

They complained that the bank is demanding more money from the customers while drawing deposits against the promised sum.

A police complaint was lodged by the bank staff as tension mounted inside the bank. An enraged customers demanded apology from the staff and withdrew protest after receiving written assurance by the staff to set right the issue.

PREPARATION TO MEET GOVERNOR;

The jamma existence committee will meet the governor and discuss the problems haunting Jamma land holders in Kodagu, according to dada Belliappa.

Convenor of the committee, Dada Belliappa told scribes here that the committee will meet at Talacauvery to discuss the issue between fifteenth and twenty fifth and decide a date to meet the Governor. He said that the opinion of all the 175 members of the committee will be taken and the governor will be briefed about the problem since he does not know about it.

Dada Belliappa clarified that the government has formed a committee comprising only officials to solve the Jamma issue and they will not participate in such meetings. He also said that the existence committee is apolitical and it has members hailing from all the parties. Though he is joining JDs in the near future, it will not have any impact on the fight for the rights of people of Kodagu.