Cases against 69 villagers to be dropped

BANGALORE: On the advice of the police department, the State government has reportedly decided to withdraw a criminal case filed at Sakharayanapattana in Chikmagalur district against 69 persons for allegedly attacking police personnel. According to official sources, a proposal to this effect has been included in the agenda of the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday.The accused were facing severe criminal  charges like involving in riots and preventing government officials from discharging their duties. The Chikmagalur district and sessions court has already posted the case for hearing to March 31.The incident took place in 2005 when a police party went to Bilikalhalli village to inquire into a complaint against a school teacher who had forced children to cook and serve non-vegetarian food. The villagers, however, opposed the entry of the police, attacked them and allegedly burnt a police jeep.