900-year old peepal tree revered as God in Nilgiris district
Udhagamandalam : A centuries old Peepal tree or Ashwatha in Sanskrit or Arasa in Tamil, in Kunda Kotagiri is still revered and worshiped as “God” by the Kota tribe, a native group of Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu. The tribe, with a population of nearly 3,000 and women outnumbering with 1,700, in seven villages, perform poojas in front of this 250-foot tall tree for any auspicious occasions, whether a marriage, new construction or housewarming. Even the villagers used to confess or take pledge before the tree, Bellan, the chief of seven villages, says. The tribals used to go to the peepal, said to be planted over 10 generations ago, and pray for removing obstacles and protect from the evils, Bellan, who is a retired post master, said. The diameter of the tree was so huge that some 50 persons have to form a human chain around the tree, he claimed. Kotas worship fire, moon and nature and perform poojas in front of the peepul after lighting fire for every single occasion and festivals. People usually do not wear chappals or shoes in the villages and also near the tree and women were asked to keep a distance from the tree, considering its sacredness, he said. (PTI)
Explosives seized in Naxal-hit Mirzapur, two arrested
Mirzapur: Explosives were on Sunday seized and two persons arrested during a raid in Ahraura area of this Naxal-hit district in Uttar Pradesh. Acting on a tip off, a raid was carried out during which 2,160 gelatin rods and 3,000 detonators were seized, police said. Two persons have been arrested and were being interrogated in connection with the seizure. A jeep was also recovered from the spot and it is suspected that the vehicle was used to transport the explosives, it said. There have been several instances of recovery of explosives over the last several months in Mirzapur, which is a Naxal affected area. Following recovery of explosives, District Magistrate Anil Dingra and SP R S Yadav have reached the area. (PTI)
Poster campaign launchred against Maoists in Odisha
Malkangiri (Odisha): A poster campaign, purportedly launched by a tribal outfit against Maoists in Malkangiri district, has condemned killing of tribals by the rebels, police said on Sunday. Bearing the name of ‘Malkangiri Adivasi Sangh’, the posters have appeared in several remote areas of Kalimela and Padia blocks of the district since yesterday, they said.The posters listed some killings including that of tribal village head of Darbaguda in Kalimela area, Bira Padiami in an IED explosion on July 29. Killings of tribals like Ganga Madhi, Madan Hantal, Deba Padiami and Ganga Madkami recently were also cited by the ‘Sangh’. The development was being closely watched, they said. The posters carrying messages in Odia condemned the recent killings, particularly of tribal people who were accused by the assailants of working as informers of the police, Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh said. Several posters have appeared in remote areas like Telrai, MV-37, Kalimela Hat, Padia, Bejangwada and Gamphagonda, the SP said. (PTI)
Three held for gang rape of housewife in West Bengal
Kolkata: Three people, including an auto driver, were arrested on Sunday for allegedly drugging and raping a housewife in West Bengal, police said. The incident happened in Maheshtala of south 24-Parganas district, some 12 km from here. According to police, the victim was drugged and raped Thursday night while she was returning home in an auto. “The victim was travelling in an auto along with an acquaintance and two others, who drugged her and took turns to rape her. The victim is undergoing treatment in a hospital. We have arrested three people, including the auto driver,” a police officer said. (IANS)