From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Jan 9: The death of a tribal, who had taken part in the recent historic protest Diddalli in Kodagu district seeking government house sites, died of cardiac arrest on Sunday January 8. He was living in the makeshift sheds pitched at Diddalli along with other locals. His death gave rise to lot of unsubstantiated rumours.

Yaravara Nanja (45), originally from Toochamakeri near Ponnampet in the district, breathed his last on Sunday morning. Some leaders spearheading the agitation seeking government land for the residents who were recently ousted from forest land, alleged that Nanja suffered cardiac arrest, as he was frustrated by the fact that the owner of the plantation at Toochamakeri for which he worked was not allowing his wife and children to move out, as Nanja was unable to repay the debt of Rs 1.8 lac he had raised from the plantation owner.

In-charge district superintendent of police, Muthuraj, realizing that this case can give rise to unnecessary confusion and trouble, rushed to the spot along with deputy superintendent of police, Chabbi. Both of them, along with other police personnel, inspected the spot, conducted verification, and arranged for tight security. During their visit, wife of Nanja, Boji, who met them, told them that the plantation owner was looking after her family well. Her claim totally contradicted what the leaders of the agitation had claimed earlier.

With the above statement, the situation in the region eased. The family later took the body of Nanja to Toochamakeri for funeral.