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2015: When Kodagu hit headlines for wrong reasons

Last Updated 31 December 2015, 19:41 IST

The year 2015 was a bunch of unexpected incidents for Kodagu district. The issue-based movements took a U-turn and developments focused much on religion and caste.

The agitations against the implementation of Kasturirangan report and high tension (HT) line, which made headlines in 2014, did not make much news in 2015.
Tipu Jayanti, questioning of exemption for gun usage and circulation of disrespectful messages on freedom fighter Guddemane Appaiah Gowda on social media, were opposed in the district.

Politically, Kodagu once again proved to be the bastion of BJP in the Gram Panchayat and Legislative Council elections.

Bharatiya Janata Party, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and other organisations staged protests against Tipu Jayanti organised by the State government.
During the violence which broke out after the Tipu Jayanti celebrations, VHP leader Devapanda Kuttappa and Shahul Hameed were killed. The incident created panic in the district.

The effect of this incident affected the inflow of tourists to the district.
Uncertainty over the implementation of Kasturirangan report prevailed in 2015. Though the implementation of the report was opposed initially, the agitation lost gravity in a due course of time.

HT line work completed
Amid opposition, the HT line between Mysuru and Koyikkod, which passes through Southern Kodagu, was completed. Koorg Word Life Society had alleged that many trees would be felled and many animals and birds would lose their homes due to the laying of the HT line. Several organisations, like Cauvery Sene, Basavanna Devara Bana Samrakshana Trust, Karnataka Raitha Sangha and others had raised their voices against the work. However, due to differences of opinion between the leaders of Karnataka Raitha Sangha and Cauvery Sene, the latter stepped back from the agitation.

One Yaladalu Chethan had questioned the purpose of exemption certificate provided towards the usage of guns. This led to heated debates in the district. The move by Chethan was opposed by Kodava organisations.

Former Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari made rate meters in autorickshaws compulsory. The autorickshaw drivers, though reluctant initially, later agreed on the condition that the minimum fare should be increased. Accordingly, the minimum fare was hiked.

City bus service was started by KSRTC in Madikeri in April. The buses, which operated for one week, were taken off the roads citing losses. In reality, the non-systematic operation of buses and lack of information among people, led to an abrupt end of the service, it is said.

The proposal of converting the Sunny Side residence of General K S Thimmaiah in Madikeri remained only in papers, except that the administration submitted an estimation of Rs 3.70 crore.

The government had announced a grant of Rs 4 crore for the facelift of Raja Seat in Madikeri. Only the laying of tiles and construction of protective walls have been carried out so far.

The district in-charge minister had assured of building a flyover at Triveni Sangama in Bhagamandala to prevent inundation of the route during rainy season. Unfortunately, the project was not been realised.

Uncertainty prevailed over the translocation of private bus stand in Madikeri. The confusion that whether the bus stand should be built near Dairy Farm or APMC yard, was not solved.

One of the reasons was the differences of opinion between two MLAs of the district.

BJP forte
The district remained a BJP forte in Gram Panchayat and Legislative Council elections. Congress suffered a close defeat and the JD(S) is still buckled under the pressured created by the differences of opinion among its own leaders.

Congress district unit President B T Pradeep stepped down, following riots in connection with Tipu Jayanti. T P Ramesh was made the in-charge president. JD(S) leader V P Shashidhar joined Congress party.

Accidents
Ramesh, the owner of a glider breathed his last, after the glider crashed in an accident at Beguru Kolli near Gonikoppa on May 3. The driver suffered injuries.

Five passengers died after a huge branch of a tree fell on the tempo traveller they were travelling in. The incident took place due to gusty winds and heavy rains on June 21. The passengers were returning to Mandya after visiting Kukke Subrahmanya temple.

The curve at Boyikeri road near Madikeri, was in the news for wrong reasons in the entire year as there were a series of accidents at the spot.

The sand lorries heading towards Mysuru on Mangaluru-Madikeri route overturned many times. This was a daily scene and the people in the houses in the vicinity, shifted to other places.

Longest sugarcane
A 12.5-metre long sugarcane, near the BSNL tower at Convent Junction in Madikeri, set a Guinness record for being the longest sugercane.
It was planted by ex-serviceman and manager of the tower Balladka Hoovaiah four years ago.

Karthik Gowda marriage
Karthik Gowda, son of Union Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and Dati, tied nuptial knots with Rajashree (Swathi), daughter of businessman Koodakandi Manaiah at Raitha Bhavan in Kushalnagar in a lavish ceremony on October 30.

Population decreases
The statistics of the Social and Educational Survey done in April and May indicated that there has been a decrease in the population by 26,161 and a decrease of number of families by 5,646, compared to 2011 census. A five per cent decrease was recorded.

Anjaneya’s stay in hamlet
Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya made a stay at Reshmehadlu tribal hamlet near Titimati in Virajpet taluk.

Cauvery Theerthodbhava
The annual Theerthodbhava at Talacauvery during Tula Sankramana on August 17 midnight was witnessed by thousands of devotees.

Kodagu Ekeekarana Ranga organised a  month-long mass feeding. The forum was given permission for mass feeding after four years.

The construction work of a medical college in Madikeri picked up pace in the year. It is expected to be inaugurated in 2016-17.
DH News Service

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(Published 31 December 2015, 19:41 IST)

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