HARANGI RESERVOIR TURNING INTO A DUNGEO;

Madikeri February 3, 2010

Sprawling in an area of 265 acres, Harangi reservoir is turning into a dungeon. The local people allege that it has become a place for illegal activities with tourists and public barred from entering in the name of security.

The government offices opened for the project are closed and the buildings are in a dilapidated condition. But the night time illegal activities do take place in these buildings, unabated. The police out post here have just two constables on duty. Even the police out post is in shambles and the building does not have to door lock. Police lock the building by using hand cuff!

Residents have said that a prayer hall has come up all of a sudden in the area opposite to the reservoir gate. The alleged terrorist Nazir used to visit this place quite often and the investigating officers have been frequenting the place now for investigation. It is suspected that the terrorist had been collecting pictures and details of Harangi reservoir during his visits.

The reservoir compound walls are also collapsing at points and terrorists can have easy access to the place.

The then chief minister R.Gundurao had a plan to develop this area in the lines of Krishna raja sagar and the next governments turned down the plan. Now in the name of security, the beautiful reservoir built and maintained by spending crores is turning into a haven for criminals and slipping away from public.

HOSTEL INMATES FOR ESTATE WORK; OFFICER ISSUED NOTICE

The taluk social welfare officer here has received show cause notice from the district officer for his dereliction of duty.

The taluk officer Gurushanthappa is issued notice by the district social welfare office Rajesh Gowda seeking explanation. Gurushanthappa has gone on leave and the notice is stuck at the doors of his house.

The notice is issued after the Jayakarnataka organization revealed that the inmates of the Sc St boys Hostel were being taken to the coffee estate belonging to a teacher for work regularly. The boys were paid peanuts to get the work done as the labor cost during this season is very high.

The organization president Prasanna Bhat and members took the taluk officer Gurubasappa for inspection on first of February. It was found that the attendance book was signed by 70 students, whereas only 48 students were inside the hostel.

The members also witnessed the rotten vegetables stored for cooking. They questioned the officer as only half kilograms of onion and five tomatoes were kept to prepare sambar for 48 students!

The district officer Rajesh Gowda issued notice to Gurubasappa yesterday, based on the complaint. The attendance system is immediately changed in the hostel and is computerized. The students have to press their thumb against the computer for signing.