Kodagu Raja's tomb torched

MADIKERI:  Miscreants set fire to the ornate main door of a 19th century tomb said to be that of Lingarajendra and his Devammaji at Mahadevpet in Madikeri on Monday night. Three people have been arrested while the prime accused is said to be at large. They are all also wanted in dacoity cases, police said.

According to police, the guard Seetharam, who reported for duty, saw the fire and called the priest of the tomb, Basavaraj, who resides nearby. By the time they tried to douse the fire, the door was completely destroyed.

As soon as news of the incident spread, Deputy Commissioner K H Ashwathanarayana Gowda, SP Manjuanth Annigeri, Kodagu ZP president S B Ravi Kushalappa, president Madikeri CMC H M Nandakumar and others rushed to the spot.

Archeology curator Rekha lodged a complaint with the Madikeri town police in this regard.

The tomb is among the three at the spot and there are no guards on duty at night.

ASN Murthy, IGP, Mysore range, visited the Gaddige area and gave instructions to the police to maintain law and order and intensify investigations.

Gopal, director for the Mysore division of the Archaeological Survey Of India told Express that he will visit the tombs on Wednesday and take the stock of the damage. He also added that Rs 20 lakh had been released for the renovation and development of the tombs and added that a decision on improving security will be taken within a week.

The tombs were constructed in 1820 and have been a places of pilgrimage and tourist attractions since they are located on an elevated spot where one can view Madikeri.

The Raja's of Kodagu had reserved around 19 acres for Gaddige but it lies in a state of neglect.