A massive protest held at Siddapur

Recently a BJP activist Ramappa (68) died in an accident in Valnoor village of Kushalanagar taluk. It has been reported that on Ramappa (68) was canvassing on the road with other party members on behalf of the BJP. On the same occasion, a car hit him and the driver fled without stopping the vehicle after the incident. Ramappa, who was seriously injured, breathed his last, while Chandraraj and Ratheesh, who were seriously injured, were admitted to the Madikeri district hospital. The locals chased the car and caught the driver named Harshad near Chiklihole and handed him over to the police. The police have registered a case regarding the incident and have taken further action

After the incident the BJP and Hindu organizations staged a protest in Siddapur demanding that the culprits should be arrested and adequate compensation should be provided to the family of the deceased. Only one of the accused has been arrested and the protesters demanded the immediate arrest of the rest and strict action against the culprits. They also protested against the state Congress government by shouting slogans.  The activists also protested by blocking the road and demanded Rs 25 lakh compensation should be given to Ramappa’s family and also requested Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC) to visit the spot.

After hearing the death news of BJP activist Ramappa, Mysore- Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency BJP candidate Yaduveer Wodeyar, former MLAs Appachu Ranjan, K G Bopaiah, MLC Suja Kushalappa, former MLC Sunil Subramani arrived at the protest site and strongly condemned the incident. Vehicular traffic in the town was disrupted due to the protest.  Kodagu District Superintendent of Police (SP) K. Ramarajanand Assistant commissioner Vinayak Narvade arrived and tried to convince the protesters. Later, District DC Venkat Raja visited the place and spoke to the protesters, saying that since the Election Code of Conduct is in force, the public should cooperate with the district administration. But the protesters were not satisfied with the District Administration and demanded compensation from the government.

Later in the afternoon BJP leader C T Ravi, who arrived at the spot, warned that if those responsible for Ramappa’s death are not arrested immediately and the family is not compensated, there will be a massive protest. After everyone was persuaded, the protesters withdrew from the protest. 

BJP district president Napanda Ravi Kalappa, general secretary V K Lokesh, Nellira Chalan, Mahesh Jaini, Bajrang Dal district coordinator Praveen, important leaders of BJP and various organizations including Suvin Ganapathy, Gautam, Nagesh, Umesh Subramani participated in the protest.  

After seeing massive protest, the DC in order to maintain peace and order, imposed section 144 in Valnur village, Arekadu village, Nelyahudikeri and the surrounding areas related to the accident case in Valnur. 

Chief Minister’s Legal Adviser, Virajpet Constituency MLA A.S.Ponnanna and Madikeri Constituency MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda also visited Siddapur Hospital and paid their last respects to Ramappa who died in an accident and consoled the family. MLA’s instructedthe Police officials to investigate the incident and to take appropriate action against culprits.