Koppal | Dalit atrocity case in Marakumbi: Convicted accused dies
Koppal: A convict involved in a 2015 atrocity case against Dalits in Marakumbi village has passed away today (Friday) morning. The incident involved a violent assault on Dalits, including setting fire to their huts after entering their colony.
Yesterday (Oct 24), the court sentenced 98 individuals to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 each, while three other convicts from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe backgrounds received a 5-year jail sentence and a Rs 2,000 fine. Among them was Ramanna Bhovi, aged 30.
Ramanna, who had been unwell, was taken directly from the District and Sessions Court to the government district hospital last night but succumbed this morning (Oct 25) despite medical treatment.
In 2015, a clash arose in Marakumbi village in Gangavati taluk over the refusal to allow Dalits access to local barber shops and hotels. Police officials visited Marakumbi and registered a case, initiating an investigation. Enraged by this, a group of villagers attacked the Dalit colony at night and set their huts on fire.
In connection with this case, 117 villagers faced charges, with some accused already deceased. Charges were proven against 101 individuals, and 100 of them appeared for trial and were arrested. One accused did not appear but was later taken into custody by the police.
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KSDL invites innovative technology to check sandalwood theft
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has invited farmers, scientists and organisations to come up with innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft in the state.
The state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which manufactures Mysuru Sandal Soap has also planned sandalwood cultivation, state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Thursday.
"In a bid to promote sandalwood cultivation, the KSDL has planned a major initiative. As part of it, farmers, scientists, and organisations possessing information on advanced equipment or innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft have been invited to approach KSDL and share the details," Patil said in a statement.
Those interested in this initiative will be given an opportunity to demonstrate such technologies before the organisation, the minister said, adding if the proposed solutions are found suitable and effective, steps will be taken for consideration and implementation.
Patil stated that the cost involved in deploying technologies aimed at preventing sandalwood theft would be borne by KSDL.
Further, with a view to encouraging sandalwood cultivation, four farmers who have supplied the highest quantity of sandalwood to KSDL will be honoured with awards on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar on June 4, he said.
On the same occasion, police personnel and forest officials who have made notable progress in apprehending sandalwood thieves and registering cases, along with members of the public who have provided credible information leading to such action, will also be recognised and rewarded, the minister added.
Patil observed that farmers cultivating sandalwood trees on their lands have been facing increasing threats due to theft in recent years. Illegal felling and theft of sandalwood trees have continued for decades.
Although stringent laws are in place to curb such activities, the number of cases resulting in convictions remains very low, he noted.
"In this context, it becomes the responsibility of the organisation to extend both legal and technical support to farmers and encourage them to take up sandalwood cultivation on a larger scale," he said.
According to him, over the past three years, KSDL has procured 174.5 metric tonne of sandalwood directly from farmers across the state and transferred Rs 6.08 crore to their respective accounts.
