The killed are identified as Motanna (60) of Chudahalli and Shivanegowda alias Huchchanna(68) of Tattekere.
A small pathway of about 5 KM in the forest between Chudahalli and Tattekere makes the travel easy for the villagers. On Sunday an unsuspected group of four including Motanna and his wife were on their way to Tattekere from Chudahalli when all of a sudden a herd of elephants consisting three adult and two calf arrived and started chasing them.
While two managed to run a safe distance the elephant trampled Motanna and killed him. His wife said she hid behind a bush and was an eye witness to the gory death of her husband.
After trampling Motanna the herd moved towards Tattekere and attacked Shivanegowda, killing him on the spot.
Angry crowd
Following the death of their fellow villagers a large angry crowd gathered in front of the Mahadeshwara temple, Tattekere valley. The forest department officials who arrived at the spot had to bear the brunt of the public wreath. They demanded that the forest department should permit construction of road in the forest for the safety of the villagers.
Range forest conservator Venugopal announced Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of deceased. Ramnagar MLA also promised to get more relief from Chief MInister’s Relief Fund.
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