In the wake of tiger attacks in the district, Rajya Raitha Sangha Kodagu district president Kadyamada Manu Somaiah urged the forest minister to visit the district and allow the people to shoot down man-eater tigers.
Else, the Sangha will observe Kodagu Bandh, he warned.
Addressing reporters at Inspection Bungalow in Ponnampet, he said that man-eater tigers are roaming about in Srimangala, T Shettigeri and nearby areas.
“Recently, the tiger had killed two people. Many cattle have been killed by tigers. On the very next day after capturing a tiger, a girl student fainted after spotting a tiger. Even after conducting operations, the forest department has failed to capture the tiger. Tiger pugmarks have been found in various parts of the region. The incidents have made the people of the nearby villages panic-struck and live amidst fear,” he said.
Manu Somaiah further pointed out that the highest movement of tigers has been found in various parts of Southern Kodagu.
“The forest minister should conduct a meeting with high-level officers, towards controlling the tiger menace. If the meeting is not held within a week, the Raitha Sangha will give a call for Kodagu Bandh, with the support of various organisations of Kodagu,” he added.
Even though the forest department had assured of capturing another tiger in T Shettigeri, the assurance has not been fulfilled so far. The higher officials of the forest department should take immediate action, he said.
Raitha Sangha district general secretary Chetrumada Sujay Bopaiah, Virajpet taluk committee president Bachamada Bhavikumar, Ponnampet hobli committee president Alemada Manjunath and Hudikere hobli committee president Changulanda Suraj were present in the press meet.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks