Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Aug 21: A new business of extorting money from the gullible public has started in the districts of Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Kodagu in the name of collecting aid for the flood-affected victims of Kodagu and Kerala.

People from all over the country and globe have come to the aid of the victims of recent flood and landslides and are sending essential items for the victims who are put up in make-shift shelters. However, some miscreants are taking this opportunity to make quick bucks and are asking cash donations from the public in various parts of both the districts of DK and Kodagu. This has become a nuisance not only to the public but for the district administration also.

These miscreants stop the vehicles and pedestrians and extort money by presenting themselves as aid workers. Some others put up a pitiful face and make the innocent people believe that they are indeed trying to help the flood victims and make the public do away with cash.

These gangs are operating in places like Kalladka, Mangaluru and Madikeri. They are found to roam with a box, in which, the label of 'Aid for flood victims' is written in bold. In an incident that occurred at Iggodlu of Madapur, the miscreants snatched the bag containing cash and gold from a person. Most of these youths appear to be drug addicts and have really become a menace to the society.

These gangs are targeting mostly innocent people coming from faraway places and waiting for buses or eating food in hotels in busy market areas. The deputy commissioner has informed that he has received several complaints of forceful extortion of money from the pedestrians. Many people have shared the bitter experiences they faced at the hands of these goons on social sites.

"People who want to donate cash towards the flood-affected victims should do so only by sending a cheque or DD to the 'Chief Minister's Relief Fund'. No person or voluntary organizations or other groups are given any authority to collect cash or things from the public. The organizations can also donate monetary aid to the chief minister relief fund," says the information given by the district administration.

The procedure of sending money to flood relief victims

*In order to help the flood victims of Kodagu district cash or DD should be sent to 'Chief Minister's Calamity Relief Fund Karnataka State'.

*For direct cash transfer, send to Account number: 37887098605 IFSC Code: SBIN0040277

*In order to help the flood victims of Kerala state cash or DD should be sent to 'Chief Minister's Calamity Relief Fund Kerala State'.

*For direct cash transfer send to Account number: 67319948232 IFSC Code: SBIN0070028.