Representative image of wild elephants.
Credit: DH Photo
Balehonnur, Chikkamagaluru): A 65-year-old farmer died in an elephant attack in Andavane Jagara of Huyigere gram panchayat in Chikkamagaluru district on Sunday night.
The deceased has been identified as Sabraya Gowda. While a wild elephant was crossing into a plantation, it came into contact with a fence and let out a loud cry.
Hearing the mammal’s cry, Sabraya stepped out and approached the fence. As he neared the spot, the elephant reportedly trampled him to death, according to local sources.
Four days ago, a 24-year-old woman was killed in a similar elephant attack near Bannur.
Condemning two deaths in a span of four days due to elephant attacks, the local residents under the aegis of Malenadu Hitharakshana Samithi, Khandya Nagarika Rakshana Vedike, Malenady Adike Belegarara Sangha have called for a voluntary bandh in Balehonnur and Khandy on Monday.
The members have begun a protest. Shops and business establishments in Balehonnur, Khandya, Huyigere, Devadana areas remained closed. Vehicle movement has also been affected.
Wild elephants have been roaming in the areas of Huyigere, Devadana, Andavani, Bannuru, Kaskemane, Nemanahalli, Halasooru, and surrounding regions under Balehonnur Hobli of Narasimharajapura taluk.
The Forest Minister has directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) to capture and relocate the two elephants. Accordingly, tamed elephants will be brought from the Sakrebailu elephant camp, and the operation to capture the elephants will commence shortly, said sources in the forest department.