VILLAGERS ROUNDUP MOBILE FARE PRICE SHOP;

Madikeri February 22

The villagers of Bettadalli near Somwarpet rounded up a mobile fare price shop and demanded justice.

The incident took place as the distributors refused quota to about forty villagers stating that they belong to above poverty line. Tension mounted as villagers began to gather. Men and women squatted around the vehicle. The distributor Uthappa alleged that the cards were cancelled as a village accountant from Shanthalli had reported that the villagers own TV and telephones.

A handicap Shanthappa told this correspondent that he has three girls and a boy to look after and marry. He does not even own a radio, let alone TV and telephone. Biddappa and few others from Kannallikatte told that their village does not have electricity and the government is giving only three liters of kerosene to them. They alleged that sugar is not being supplied to them since eight months. They have threatened to hold a protest before the Deputy Commissioners office next month.

The protest went on from one o clock to five in the evening. Finally the protest was called off after the shirastedar assured them to distribute ration.

‘SPEED GOVERNOR’ ISSUE ROCKS KODAGU

The speed governor issue has reached a boiling point and Lorries and taxis in Kodagu will go off road from midnight.

Madikeri taxi owners association has issued a statement and said that they will block all tourist vehicles and maxi cabs if they venture to come in.

The office bearers stated that the regional transport Authorities is not renewing the fitness certificate even to Ambulance vehicles. The reason they are giving is that they should fix speed governors. The questioned that how can an ambulance reach its destination on time if the speed governor is fixed.

The Pickup and lorry owners associations have also extended their support to the protest and they have decided to go off road and will also stop all such vehicles trying to cross Kodagu.

Meanwhile the deputy Commissioner Niranjan told this correspondent that the district administration will take precaution as to not to disturb the supply of daily commodities and essential services. He assured that he will try to exempt the ambulances from fixing speed governors.

JOPURNALIST ASSOCIATION OF KARNATAKA IN KODAGU;

The journalist association of Karnataka took birth in Kodagu yesterday.

Inaugurating the association, chief reporter of Udayavani, Manohar Prasad told that inspite of competitions, newspapers have good future.

State committee chairman Venkatanarayan addressed the gathering and said that the life of rural journalists should improve. He said that the association will fight for the rights of accredited journalists and will try to improve the status of its members.

Superintendent of police Sandip patil spoke and said that the right to speak and write is well supported in India than in any other countries. Journalists T.P.Ramesh, G.rajendra, Anil H.T. and others spoke on the occasion. State association secretary Omprakash distributed identity cards and dairies to the members.

A cultural programme by Gururaj and team was organized in the evening.

HOUSE ARREST FOR TOURISTS!

Madikeri Feb. 23 The tourists who came to kodagu for relaxation are now feel the discomfort like house arrest. Many vehicles arrived from Bangalore,Mysore and other places became stagnant due to strike by hire vehicles opposing the compulsory fixing of speed governor.

In Sampige Katte, Tollgate, General Thimmaiah circle and Sudarshan circle separate groups of vehicle owners and drivers continuously stopping the maxi cabs, taxis which were trying to move through the areas.

Some taxis even tried using white board, but were captured by the protestors. Some marriage brides and bridegrooms have to convince the agitators for hours together that the marriage would be cancelled if they don’t allow them.

Many tourists are wandering in the town as they could not use taxis they brought from other places in the town area also. If the strike continues their position may become worst in all aspects including the financial commitments.

The groups of drivers and taxi-lorry owners were rigid to stop the outside vehicles. Police were silent spectators.

Photo: Agitators stopping vehicles in Madikeri