TIGER THROWS ANOTHER ATTACK;

Madikeri March 2

Close on the heels of people staging severe protest against forest officials to curb tiger menace, the beast has attacked a Bullock in the yards of a planter Uluvangada Aiyappa at T.Shettigeri .

According to complaint, the tiger entered the cow shed at night and killed the bullock. It was again biting the neck of another cow which began to make alarming sound. Estate workers rushed to the spot, hearing the noise and the tiger left the place.

Forest staff came to the spot and left in a hurry without conducting mahazar. They feared attack as people started coming.

It can be recalled that the villagers in south Kodagu had blocked forest staff in the village last week as more live stocks were being killed by the tiger. They had given assurance in writing that arrangements will be made to capture the tiger. Nothing was done in reality.

HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT EARMARKS 4.36 CRORES

The Assistant Director of Horticulture, H.R.Naik told here that the department has earmarked 4.36 crores for the national Horticulture mission and a plan in this respect is prepared by experts.

Naik disclosed in a press conference that the plan is for the year 2008 -09. He also disclosed that rupees 4.13 crores was spent last year for the same project in the district and beneficiaries were distributed amount and materials. He said that the success rate is 70%.

He informed that under the above project following wings will be assisted; Controlling pests attacking Arecanut, controlling disease of Pepper crop, protein supply to horticulture products and providing materials to honey farming etc.

Stating that arecanut is grown in 2298 hectares in the district, he said that the crop has come down due to disease and the growers of both Arecanut and Pepper are entitled to receive subsidy up to four hectares.

Dr. Anand was present in the press conference.

YOUTH FOUND DEAD;

Dead body of a youth was found on the main road in Pokalathod village near T.Shettigeri yesterday.

According to police, the body belongs to a seventeen year old Kishan Cariappa, son of Katti Poovaiah and Tadiangada Bollamma.

Parents have expressed shock and suspicion about the cause of death and a case of suspected death is registered by police.

JURNOS CONDEMN ACTION;

The district journalists association has condemned the action by police for booking cases against two journalists on two different cases.

President C.N.Somesh in a strong worded statement has said that in the first case, the forest department has registered a case against Harish Madappa, who had been to report in South Kodagu. In the second case, an employee of Zilla Panchayath has registered a complaint of attempted rape against one A.c.cariappa in the office premises.

He has alleged that the lady clerk, who had lodged a complaint against Cariappa is trying to hush up a misappropriation case in the Zilla Pnachayath.

While urging the authorities to withdraw cases, he has asked the concerned to conduct mahazar.