Madikeri, August 29: The Madrasas in the district have turned into shelters for hundreds of people who have lost everything due to flood and landslides. Irrespective of any differences, the people from all castes and religions have got shelter under one roof and thus, it has become a place for harmony.
A number of villages were devastated in the natural disaster and among them, 20 per cent of the villagers were wiped out literally. Hundreds of people from various wards in the city have camped in the Madrasa of the Al-Masjid-ul Rifai masjid at Azad Nagar in which total 182 people from 73 families were given shelter. Under the leadership of councilor Mansoor, many cadres have been working as volunteers and serving the distressed people.
“We have treated the victims as our guests by providing food, cloths, hot water and other facilities to the people who have come from various places”, said Mansoor.
People from different wards came in search of the shelter when they lost their houses due to landslides. At that moment, he spoke to the chairman of the masjid and appealed him to make arrangements for staying. Responding to his request, the masjid president had immediately shifted the benches and desks to other place to pave way for the victims. Even now, victims were coming to the relief camp. Though there was shortage of space, they were trying to accommodate them. As a family of physically challenged persons found it difficult to stay in the camp due to cold, they were given accommodation in a nearby lodge, Mansoor said.
‘We have nothing after the only house was collapsed’
“Our house at Indira Nagar of the city was damaged when a tree fell on it. Later, the entire house was washed out in the flood. My husband died two months ago due to illness and now, I don’t have father and mother”, said Annu who is staying in the relief camp at Madrasa.
“I have been working in the government hospital and bringing up my children. As the house was washed away in the flood, all the records and documents were also destroyed. Currently, I don’t have anything. I will be happy if the government gives me a house. Otherwise, if any donors help me, I will live my entire life recalling their help. People have given us good facility including food, clothes and other facilities at the Madrasa”, he said.
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Coimbatore (PTI): The Coimbatore Mahila court on Tuesday held all nine men arrested in the sensational Pollachi sexual assault and extortion case as guilty.
Judge R. Nandhini Devi would pronounce the quantum of punishment later in the day.
All those facing the charges have been accused of criminal conspiracy, sexual harassment, rape, gang rape, and extortion, in the series of incidents including blackmail that happened between 2016 and 2018. The victims were mostly college girls and the incident came to light after an affected student lodged a complaint with the police.
The incident caused an outrage in the state and even echoed in the state assembly. An audio clip of a purported victim also went viral, sending shock waves across the state.
While the local police initially probed the matter, it was later transferred to the CB-CID. In 2019, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The counsel representing the CBI said the agency had sought the "highest punishment" of lifer till death.
The CBI has sought compensation for the victim women.
Among the arrested is an expelled AIADMK functionary.