JOIN USTwo people were trampled to death and four seriously injured when they tried to catch a close glimpse of a herd of 22 elephants which strayed into an eucalyptus farm at Hulkuru village of Kasaba hobli in Malur taluk on Saturday.
Mallappa (60), a shepherd from Sonnahalli and Muniyappa (60), a cowherd from Abbenahalli village are the dead.
Kitti from Hulkuru village, Manjappa and Manjunath from Thirumalahatti village are said to be seriously injured and are being treated at the Government Hospital in Malur. Details of the fourth injured person is not known.
According to forest officials, the elephants came from the Krishnagiri forests in Tamil Nadu and travelled through Teerthabandahatti, M Hosahalli, Dinneri Harohalli and Thirumalahatti villages of Masti hobli on Friday night, before reaching the hilly areas on the outskirts of Hulkuru village, in search of food and water.
As soon as the news of the herd spread, thousands of curious villagers started to arrive from early that morning, to catch a glimpe of them. Some even attempted to photograph the animals, using cellphones.
Twelve of the elephants continued their journey from Hulkuru village to the eucalyptus farm near Sonnahalli village, via Chakanahalli and Kunturu villages.
Crowds still curious
The death of the two persons has left the villagers scared.
A team of 50 personnel from the Police department and a team of 25 staff from the Forest department have tried to control the crowd. Officials from the forest department are camping in the area, to monitor the situation.
Forest officer Subba Rao told Deccan Herald that with the help of forest conservators from Bannerghatta, the elephants will be driven back towards Tamil Nadu by evening.