The Hindu : Karnataka / Madikeri News : KPRS members stage dharna in Virajpet

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 10, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Madikeri

KPRS members stage dharna in Virajpet

By Our Staff Correspondent

MADIKERI, FEB. 9. Members of the Karnataka Prantiya Raitha Sangha (KPRS) staged a dharna in front of the office of the Forest Department in Virajpet on Wednesday.

They demanded the release of two jeeps seized by the department for allegedly carrying firewood about three months ago.

The agitators, who wanted to lock the entrance of the department's office in Virajpet, alleged that the officials are demanding bribe from the owners to release the vehicles. The police prevented the protesters from entering the premises of the office initially, but later opened the gates. Peter Lobo and A.R. Krishna Kumar, leaders of the sangha, wanted the Deputy Conservator of Forests to arrive at the spot to solve the issue. The seized vehicles are hired jeeps and their owners, Suresh and Joshi, are in trouble financially, the protesters said.

They said the firewood was being taken to the residence of a constable in Virajpet town. But the Forest Department officials said the firewood was cut from "paisari" (revenue) lands. Mr. Lobo and Mr. Kumar said they will insist on "mahajar" of the jeeps, expressing apprehension that the Forest Department officials may mix a few rosewood logs to strengthen their case.

C.S. Arun Machaiah, MLC; V.A. Venkatesh, president of the Virajpet Taluk Panchayat; and Katti Mandaiah, president of the Sarvajanjika Hitarakshana Vedike, visited the spot to assess the situation. Mr. Machaiah spoke to the Deputy Conservator of Forests to clarify the situation. The official promised to look into the matter.

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