Flood-victims stage protest against Minister

Residents of flood-affected Bhagamandala and surrounding villages expressed their anguish against Kodagu District-in-Charge Minister K J George for not visiting the flood-affected areas on Saturday.

The Minister inspected the flood from the banks of river Sujyothi at Bhagamandala and returned.

Resident Kudukoli G Bharath said that the Minister did not cross the river to visit the villages affected with flood. The minister has also failed to listen to the grievances of the residents.

He said politicans want heavy rain to lash Kodagu for the Cauvery to flow in spate, so that parched districts will get water. However, they failed to visit them when people are in distress.

Ame Balakrishna said this the first time that a district-in-charge minister failed to visit Bhagamandala temple.

“Boulders have collapsed on road leading to Talacauvery and movement of vehicles have been disrupted.

The residents of the villages have to walk on the road.

However, the minister has failed to listened to the woes. The Minister has failed to visit the spot where boulders have caved in on Talacauvery-Bhagamandala road,” said the residents.

Padmayya said inspite of demanding the construction of a flyover, the government has failed to fulfill the demand.

Earlier, the villagers who met the Minister said that boating facilities should be arranged to ferry villagers in Bhagamandala. The residents also demanded construction of a flyover.

Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari said that boat facility will be continued till the water -level recedes.

The boats should be used for only ferrying the villagers. “A proposal on the construction of a flyover will be submitted to the government.”