Chikmagaluru, June 15: Deputy Commissioner M K Srirangaiah said that properties worth Rs 4.56 crore damaged due to heavy rains that lashed the district for the last couple of days.

Speaking to reporters at his office here on Thursday, the DC said that the district has got 228 per cent more rain against normal rainfall during this period. Four taluks like Mudigere, Koppa, Sringeri and NR Pura have been receiving heavy downpour and rivers Tunga, Bhadra and Hemavati were flowing above the danger level. However, the plain areas like Kaduru, Birur and Tarikere region have received 150 per cent rainfall against normal rainfall. But no casualties were reported due to rains in the district, he said.

Because of the rain, nine cattle were killed and compensation was given to the owners of seven cattle. Apart from this, 18 houses were damaged in the rain and now, ten houses were given Rs 10,000 each compensation. Survey is being conducted to assess the loss of properties, he said.

Because of the damage of roads, drainages and bridges, the district has incurred Rs 4.56 crore loss. As the trees fell on the electric lines, the MESCOM has incurred a loss of Rs 2 crore. In some areas, the power supply was hampered as the electric lines were disconnected. Once the rain receded, the electricity lines would be restored, he said.

On Wednesday, the some places like Datta Peetha, Attigundi and others were suffered due to power problem, but it was restored immediately. Because of the heavy rains, road connectivity is suspended as water is flowing on the Hebbala bridge connecting Kalasa and Horanadu. Revenue and police departments were deputed to look into it, he said.

He also got a report that areca plantations worth Rs 50 lakh were damaged as trees fell on them and water clogging in Koppa and Sringeri. Horticulture and Revenue Departments were directed to conduct the survey and disburse compensation immediately, the DC said.

As soon as the authorities got the news that traffic movement on Charmudu ghat section was suspended following land sliding, the district administration has taken steps to clear it and allowed the traffic movement. Alternative routes were made available for the vehicle users via Kottigehara, Kalasa and Kudremukha, he said.

Excluding Chikmagalur, Kaduru and Tarikere, schools and colleges were declared holiday in the district. All revenue officials were directed to be in head quarter to face any eventuality. Because of the rains, people are happy, he said.

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Mumbai (PTI): The gunning down of Badlapur case accused Akshay Shinde on Monday was the "killing of justice", said Asim Sarode, lawyer for the two minor girls he allegedly sexually assaulted.

Shinde was killed near Mumbra Bypass around 6:15pm when he allegedly snatched the gun of a policeman while he was being ferried in a police vehicle as part of a probe into a case registered on the complaint of his former wife.

After he shot and injured an API, another personnel from the escort team fired at him, and he was declared dead by doctors at a nearby hospital.

"While representing the two minor girls, I noticed it was becoming uncomfortable for the local politics of the Thane district and even for the educational institution where Akshay Shinde was working. Shinde's death in such a manner is killing of justice," Sarode told a regional news channel.

"Now, the case of sexual assault of the two minor girls will get sidelined. The case of these two minor girls was becoming difficult for the educational institute, as it is affiliated with a certain political family. Such a practice would lower the confidence of people in police and the judiciary," he claimed.

Sarode said he will be filing a plea before the Bombay High Court demanding thorough inquiry into the firing incident.

"Shinde's case could have brought up certain aspects that would have been negative politically for the government. I wonder how Shinde could access the gun and how he could unlock it when his hands were tied. This is political murder and is absolutely wrong," he said.