Drunk men attack elephant task force, police in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Chaos erupted in Kurabarahalli Doddi village, Ramanagar, on Sunday night when five intoxicated men intercepted and assaulted Elephant Task Force (ETF) officers, who were there to respond to an elephant situation.

Kurabarahalli Doddi borders a forest area, making elephant encounters frequent.

The ETF, deployed by the Forest Department, had successfully driven away elephants when the incident occurred around 11 pm as two officers were returning home.

The Sathanur police stated that the suspects verbally abused the ETF officers, questioning their efficiency and hurling insults at their families. They then attempted to set the ETF vehicle on fire and proceeded to physically assault the officers.

"The drunk men tried to set the ETF vehicle ablaze, but later resorted to assaulting the officers. When the Hoysala reached the location following a complaint call, the miscreants assaulted the police as well," an investigator said.

When reinforcements arrived, the police arrested three people — Kiran, Prathap, and Sundar, all from nearby villages. Two suspects remain at large.

The Sathanur police have filed charges against all five under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections related to obstructing public servants in the discharge of their duties and attempted murder.