Mysterious death of student at Kodagu Sainik School; Parents protest
Madikeri, June 24: The mysterious death of a student at Sainik School of Kodagu at Kudige on Saturday created many doubts. On Sunday, parents and relatives of ninth standard student Chingappa (14) resorted to the protest in front of the mortuary of the district hospital at Madikeri alleging that the boy was killed.
The agitators demanded the Sainik School principal to come to the spot and explain about the incident, besides arresting all the five accused in the case. They said that they would not lift the body unless the five accused named in the complaint- Govindaraju, Manjappa, Mathew, Seema and Sunil, the staff of the Sainik school, are arrested. At this time, relatives of the boy and the police engaged in verbal duals.
The body of the boy was found in the uniform and the incident happened before 2 pm. Even then, the school management had called his father Poovaiah at 6 pm and informed that the boy is missing. Interestingly, the CCTV camera installed at the bathroom was switched off when the incident happened, they alleged.
After Poovaiah left the school to search his son, the body was taken to Kudige hospital in an emergency vehicle. At this time, the vehicle staff informed Poovaiah that his son is dead, they said and took Sainik School PRO Prasad to task for not informing Poovaiah about the death of his son.
Knowing the situation, SP Dr Rajendra Prasad, MLCs Sunil Subramani and Veena Achaiah got information from the school management on the issue. Later, they also consoled the parents and relatives of the boy and promised of taking action against the accused with proper investigation.
MLC Sunil Subramani said that he has informed Lok Sabha Member Prathap Simha who in turn informed the Union Minister asked the Minister to direct the authorities to investigate the issue properly. So, the parents and relatives should call off their protest, he appealed.
Even SP Rajendra Prasad also promised of investigation into the incident. Later, the agitators called of their protest and body was shifted to Madapura, the place of the boy.
Speaking to reporters, SP Rajendra Prasad said that a case was registered at Kushalnagar police station. After collecting CCTV camera footage, the investigation would be started. But the truth will come out only after getting the autopsy report and completion investigation, he said.
MLC Sunil Subramani said that it is a black mark to Kodagu. If the involvement of the school management in the incident is proved in the investigation, he would recommend for suitable legal action, he said.
Clarification
Meanwhile, the school management has clarified that it would cooperate with the investigating agencies to probe the incident.
When Chingappa NP was brought to the primary health centre at 8 pm on June 23, it was confirmed that the boy was dead. Before this, it is said that the student was counseled about his mistake from the concerned teacher. Later, he was found in an unconscious stage at a bathroom in the evening. Suddenly, he was rushed to the Kudige PHC. As the police investigation is going on, the school management will extend all its cooperation in the investigation, the management said in a statement.
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Rising raw material costs push kite prices up by 40% ahead of Makar Sankranti festival
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): A sharp increase in raw material costs has led to a nearly 40 per cent rise in kite prices this year, affecting manufacturers ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival.
The minimum price of a kite, which was Rs 5 last year, has increased to Rs 7, a manufacturer told PTI.
The Rajput family from the Buddi Lane area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has been engaged in the kite-making business for over 60 years. They supply kites across Maharashtra and to neighbouring states.
Every year, both local and outstation buyers flock to their shops during the festive season. At present, kite manufacturing is in full swing at the Rajput brothers’ workshops.
Speaking about the price hike, kite manufacturer Anil Rajput said there has been a significant rise in the cost of raw materials compared to last year.
"Last year, the paper rim cost us Rs 900, which has increased to Rs 1,100 this year. A bundle of 1,000 bamboo sticks earlier cost Rs 1,050, but the price has almost doubled to around Rs 2,000," he said.
He added that the increase in production costs has directly impacted kite prices.
"The minimum price of a kite was Rs 5 last year, which has gone up to Rs 7 this year. We now have to convince customers about the revised rates,” he said.
Rajput also expressed concern about the future of the traditional family business.
"Kite making involves heavy physical labour. Our younger generation is not interested in continuing this work. At our age, we cannot switch professions, so we continue to run the business to support our family," he said.
The family works long hours, often starting at 9 am and continuing until 2 am.
"My wife was paralysed earlier, but as she is recovering, she has also started helping us with the work," he said.
Govardhan Rajput, another family member, said kite making is their ancestral occupation and continues throughout the year, with peak activity beginning after the Ganesh festival in August–September.
"Our kites are supplied to places like Nizamabad in Telangana, as well as Nanded, Vaijapur and Yeola," he said, adding that the family expects business to pick up significantly in the coming days with Makar Sankranti approaching.
