A tribal belonging to Jenu Kuruba community was killed in a tiger attack on the boundary of Nagarahole National Park near Kutta in Kodagu district of Karnataka on February 13.
The victim, Raju, 70, had stepped out of his home around 6.30 a.m. when he was attacked by the tiger. The incident took place near Hulikal Anti-Poaching Camp close to Nanachi Gate of Nagarahole range.
Raju’s death is the second in the family within 12 hours as his 12-year-old grandson Chetan was also killed under similar circumstances on February 12 evening while harvesting coffee in a plantation abutting the forest, also near Kutta.
B.N. Murthy, Conservator of Forests, Kodagu circle, said combing operations had been launched. Five elephants were assisting nearly 150 field staff in searching the area for the tiger. In addition, 25 camera traps have been installed to establish the identity of the tiger, which is suspected to be injured.
Mr. Murthy said though the tiger was sighted in the area, it retreated into the jungle following the commotion caused by the congregation of people at the spot.
People in the area are gripped by panic following two deaths in 12 hours.
In Bengaluru, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs J.C. Madhuswamy informed the legislative Assembly that strict action will be taken against Forest Department (FD) officials if their laxity is the reason for the death of the 12-year-old boy and his 75-year-old grandfather in tiger attacks in separate incidents within 12 hours.
K.G. Bopaiah (BJP) alleged that Forest Department officials did not take action to prevent further casualty despite the death of the boy on February 12 evening.
“If the department finds difficulty in handling tigers, give us powers, we will handle tigers,” Mr Bopaiah said.
Mr Madhuswamy said strict action would be initiated against Forest Department officials, including the Deputy Range Forest Officer (DFO), if a tiger killed two persons on account of dereliction of duty. Compensation would be given to the family members of the deceased, the Minister said.
Appachu Ranjan (BJP) and H.P. Manjunath (Congress) sought protection for villagers from attack by tigers.
