Madikeri: Former Union Minister Dr. Subramanian Swamy has written to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging him to form a commission to provide special status to the tribals in Kodagu, as requested by the Kodava National Council members.

Dr. Subramanian Swamy, who has already approached the High Court with the request to fulfill the demand of the tribal natives of Kodagu for a separate district, has a court hearing of the application on June 14. The veteran politician said that he wanted to meet Siddaramaiah on the occasion.

Referring to the demand of the natives in his letter to the Chief Minister, the former Union Minister stressed on the urgent need to form a government panel that would work at giving special status to the Kodavas in Karnataka.

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Imphal (PTI): Four militants belonging to two banned outfits have been arrested in Manipur for possession of firearms and involvement in extortion, a police statement said on Saturday.

Three militants belonging to the Kangleipak Communist Party (Peoples' War Group) outfit were arrested on Thursday for possessing firearms and extorting people, it said.

They have been identified as Chongtham Shyamchandra Singh (23), hailing from Imphal West district, and Maibam Suraj Khan (32) and Boghimayum Sahid Khan (30), who hail from Imphal East district.

Three 5.56 mm INSAS live cartridges, an empty case of .32 ammunition and three mobile phones were seized from their possession.

In another incident, a militant belonging to the banned United National Liberation Front (Ningon Macha group) was arrested on Thursday for illegal possession of firearms.

The arrested militant was identified as Sangomshumpham Warish (25), who hails from Lilong Haorou in Thoubal district. A .32 pistol and ammunition were seized from his possession, it added.

Meanwhile, security forces seized arms and ammunition during an area domination exercise in S Mongpi ridge in Kangpokpi district on Thursday.

A .303 rifle, a 9mm pistol, two SBBL guns, a 5.56mm INSAS LMG magazine, two hand grenades, two detonators, 16 cartridges and three tear smoke grenades were seized, it added.