A day after two CRPF personnel were trampled to death by an elephant, the Forest Department has swung into action to offer numerous measures of “mitigation” to ensure the “unexpected event” does not repeat.
On Monday, CRPF officers from the Dog Breeding and Training School (DBTS), Tharalu, on the edge of Ragihalli forest, had a nearly day-long interaction with Bannerghatta National Park officials to chalk out an action plan to prevent further attacks. After a tour of the railway barricades around the park, four measures were decided upon: construction of a watch tower; solar fencing around the CRPF camp; SMS alert system to intimate personnel about the movement of elephants; and finally, a workshop to train personnel on what to do when confronted with a wild animal.
“We will start these works as soon as we can. We will even advice them on keeping buffers around the camp and design of buildings,” said Javed Mumtaz, Deputy Conservator of Forests (BNP).
Around 6.30 a.m. on Sunday, a tuskless male elephant attacked the sentry post manned by four personnel. Assistant Sub-Inspector H. Dakshina Murthy (55) and constable Kuttappa Lamani (35) died, while two others escaped.
On the day of the attack, personnel had expressed anger at frequent encounters with wild animals. “There are so many restrictions on dealing with wild animals, that we feel helpless,” said an eyewitness to the attack, who even added: “Next time we see an elephant, we will empty a magazine (of bullets) into the animal.”
Compensation of ₹2 lakh has been announced for the two deceased personnel.
Meanwhile, the elephant has been tracked to Bannerghatta National Park, and officials said there was a belief that it will remain within the forest itself and out of harm’s way for the time being.
“There is no discussion on capturing the elephant,” said Mr. Mumtaz.
