Woman among 2 killed in separate elephant attacks in Karnataka

Mysuru/Hassan: A 23-year-old man was killed in an elephant attack in Gadde Halla, under N Begur range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR), of Sargur taluk in Mysuru district on Thursday morning at around 6.30 am.

Avinash, a BSc graduate and son of Huchchanayaka, is the deceased.

The incident occurred when Avinash had gone to the farmland to water the crops. There were three elephants but one attacked him, according to forest officials.

BTR Conservator of Forests S Prabhakaran and N Begur RFO Manjunath rushed to the spot. After the autopsy on the spot, the body was handed over to the deceased’s relatives. Prabhakaran handed over a cheque of Rs 15 lakh to relatives of Avinash.

Residents of the village complained that although human-animal conflict is high in the region, the KPTCL provides electricity only during early morning. They should provide it during the day, they urged.

Woman found dead

A 62-year-old woman was found dead due to suspected jumbo attack, at Bellavara village in Belur taluk on Thursday.

Dyavamma, of Kanaguppe village, is the deceased. She had gone in search of the cattle.  When she did not return, the family members searched for her and found the body in a bush near Bellavara village. They claimed that she died of elephant attack as there were injuries on her body.

Range Forest Officer B G Yatish visited the spot. But the locals insisted that Forest Minister and deputy commissioner visit the spot. DFO Saurabh Kumar, CCF Yedukondalu visited the spot and tried to convince them, but in vain.

MLA H K Suresh, who arrived at the spot, spoke to the Forest Minister over phone and explained the situation. Minister Khandre assured to hold a meeting before February 28, over the human-animal conflict in the region.

Deputy Commissioner C Sathyabhama arrived at the spot at 6.30 pm. Only after she assured of holding a meeting of the Forest department, Coffee growers association and farmers next week, the locals relented and allowed to lift the body. The DC also presented a compensation cheque for Rs 15 lakh.