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.