Anonymous threat letters to Kodava planters

Anonymous letters, especially threatening Kodava planters in Kodagu (Coorg) district in Karnataka has led to apprehensions among the peace-loving Kodava community.
Besides warning the planters against their “lavish lifestyle”, the letters have “prescribed” minimum wage for workers, depending on the size of the plantations. Planters have been warned against consequences if the prescribed wages were not paid.
Copies of the letter have been sent to the Codagu Planters’ Association, Kodagu Coffee Growers’ Cooperative Society, Kodava Samaja units, and certain individual planters.
A person who had received such a letter said that Kodava community in Kodagu had been targeted.
Kodagu Superintendent of Police T.R. Suresh said the police were aware of the matter. “We are yet to identify from where the letters came,” he added.
Meanwhile, the co-convener of the Kodagu District Pragatipara Chintakara Vedike K.R. Vidyadhar, advocate, has urged the district administration to order an inquiry to pin down the individuals or organisations who had written the anonymous threatening letters.
“The anonymous letters does not have anything to do with the Vedike,” Mr. Vidyadhar stated.
EDITOR’S VIEW: The district administration should not take the issue lightly. There is already social unrest in Kodagu because of the increasing migration of undesirable elements from the neighbouring Kerala state. Probably, the letters could be the handiwork of these elements.
Besides, there have been reports that the Naxalites who have already established themselves in the neighbouring districts, could be planning to set up their base in Kodagu.
The district administration should clamp down on the subversive elements before they could cause further mischief.