A coffee plantation worker was trampled by a wild elephant in an
estate at Siddapura in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district on Friday.
The victim was identified as Sudiya (47) from Assam who was working in
the plantation since the last few years. Sources said that a group of
25 women were on their way to work in the early hours when an elephant
which had strayed into the plantation charged at them.
The workers ran helter-skelter on sighting the charging elephant but
Sudiya could not escape and was trampled. She died on the spot due to
injuries.
The workers staged a protest while the Forest Department staff who
learnt of the developments, reached the spot and chased away the
elephant to the forests.
The authorities announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to the victim’s
family members and handed over a cheque of Rs. 2 lakh to Sadiya’s
husband who also worked in the same estate. The remaining Rs.3 lakh
will be given to the family after completion of due process.
One more death
In another incident, one person is suspected to have died in an
elephant attack near Hadlahalli, Hettur hobli in Sakleshpur taluk,
Hassan district, on Thursday evening. Thippe Gowda (65), a farmer, was
found dead near the village. Plantation workers who were returning
after the day’s work found the body. He is survived by wife and two
daughters. The villagers suspect that he died in an elephant attack.
Forest Department officials are yet confirm this as they did not find
any injuries on the deceased’s body.
Mr. Ganesh S. Bhat, Deputy Conservator of Forests, told The Hindu,
“When the police and forest officers reached the village, the body was
shifted to his residence. There were no injuries on his body. As of
now, it is difficult to conclude he died in an elephant attack,” he
said.
The body was taken to Sakleshpur for a post-mortem.