POLICE TO PROVIDE SECURITY TO TOURISTS;

Madikeri January 30, 2008

Tourists visiting Kodagu would be provided with proper police protection, according to Inspector general of Police, V.Gaonkar, and South Zone.

Talking to this reporter yesterday during his visit, Gaonkar said that Kodagu has become tourist hot spot and they need proper protection. He was told that the traffic system in Kodagu is in bizarre and parking place in Madikeri is highly insufficient. Gaonkar stated that the parking and traffic system would be streamlined after the private bus stand at Madikeri is shifted to a better place.

Answering a query why the post of an Additional SP was removed from Kodagu, he stated that there is no necessity of such a post here. Yet if the police officials here feel the necessity, he can recommend for one, he clarified.

He was questioned about unsolved murder cases, shortage of police in the district, corruption charges against few. He promised to look into them.

DUO CHEAT PLANTERS;

Two merchants buying coffee from planters have fled cheating them of lakhs of rupees.

According to complaints lodged at Napoklu police station, C.H.Nissar and Mammutti of Manandavadi, Kerala have been buying coffee from local planters. They have been absconding since two days along with the workers.

M.B.majidh, acting as their partner at Napoklu has lodged a complaint stating that the duo fled with a cash of rupees twenty five lakh due to the planters. They have also taken a car belonging to one Kalianda Girish. Girish has also lodged a complaint stating that the duo had struck a deal to buy his car and have taken it without making payment.

Napoklu police went to Manandavadi for investigation and could not trace the accused. Investigation is on.

DC ORDERS NOT TO LIFT SAND NEAR BRIDGES;

The deputy Commissioner Niranjan has ordered not to lift sand within one kilometer from any of the bridges in Kodagu.

Holding a meeting to discuss about the sand lifting menace in South Kodagu at Virajpet yesterday, he stated that bridges are in danger as no norms are laid down to sand lifting in the district.

Addressing the meeting, MLC Arun Machaiah stated that Kerala state has banned lifting of sand in their state and people are lifting sand to smuggle it to Kerala.He disclosed that the Bethri bridge is cracking due to lifting of sand and rivers are widening with lots of water being wasted. Mines and geology department officials do not know the topography of Kodagu and are passing orders sitting in AC rooms, he quipped.

BURNING OF CAR AND GUN SHOT;

Difference in lifting the sand business at south Kodagu has turned violent yesterday. A person was shot at and his car was burnt.

A resident of Kothur,Ppradip opened fire at one Tanesh as the entered into fisticuffs over sand deal. Tanesh was hit at his chest and was shifted to Vikram hospital, Mysore for treatment. As the news spread, Tanesh’s friends rushed to the spot and set ablaze Pradips car. Pradip escaped from the scene. Police are looking for him.