Residents of Thorapalli, bordering Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), blocked traffic along Gudalur-Mysore Road for over two hours on Tuesday after four persons, including three children, were injured when they fell while being chased by a wild elephant.
Residents said that a group of people were returning home from a mosque in the area when they spotted one of two elephants, known to frequent in the area.
Forest Department officials said that as the group began shouting to chase it away, the startled elephant staged a mock charge. The residents tried to run in the opposite direction and in the melee, four persons, including three children, fell on the road, suffering minor injuries.
Protest
Irate residents staged a protest at the Kakkanallah border check-post and refused to allow traffic between Gudalur and Mysore for more than an hour. The department officials rushed to the spot and assured locals that they would conduct operations to prevent the elephants from entering the village, after which the protesters, numbering around 50, dispersed.
