NOTORIOUS THIEF UNDER ARREST

Madikeri January 8

A notorious thief Somappa, wanted in more than forty cases fell into police dragnet yesterday evening at Virajpet.

Somappa was involved in robbery and theft cases being reported from parts of Kodagu and police had failed to arrest him so far. Acting on a tip off, Virajpet police entered a cave like bush in the town and arrested him. Swords, rods, stoves, vessels and other things were recovered from the place. Few brandy bottles were also recovered.

According to police, Somappa was committing thefts during night time and would retire to his hiding place inside the two bushes in Murnad road. He would use one bush to sleep and another to store the stolen articles.

Somappa had attacked a hotel supplier with a torch on Monday night and escaped as people gave a chase to him. A person from his house terrace noticed that a guy was entering a bush and never returned. He informed the police about it yesterday and police kept wait.

Somappa confessed that he has committed about twenty thefts at Virajpet and another twenty at Madikeri. Even at Madikeri he used to stay in a bush.

A case is registered.

TEMPLES GET A FACE LIFT;

The PWD has called for tender to take up developmental works in four temples at a cost a cost of rupees 1.03 crores.

Paadi Iggutappa temple, Paluru Mahalingeshwara temple, Onkareshwara temple at Madikeri and Irpu Rameshwara temple would be developed by utilizing the special grant.

The above grant was sanctioned to Bhagamandala and Talacauvery temples earlier during 2003 -04. As the above temples received higher grants for rejuvenation. The same was deviated to the above four temples.

The Mujarai department will spend rupees 27 lakh on Igguthappa temple to repair the roof and building.

A hall to serve food would be built at Palur mahalingeshwara temple at a cost of rupees 23 lakhs. A community hall would be built at Onkareshwara temple at a cost of rupees 35 lakhs and rupees 18.03 rupee work would be undertaken at Irpu temple.