Normal life in Devala and surroundings, including Pandhalur, Nadugani and Marapalam was hit on Tuesday on account of a bandh observed to register the protest of the residents against the lack of effective steps by the forest department to prevent wild elephants from straying into villages.
The call for a bandh was given by various political parties and public welfare organisations.
While all the commercial establishments remained closed, autorickshaws and jeeps did not ply. However, buses plied as usual and government offices, schools etc functioned normally. A demonstration was also staged at Devala. Security had been beefed up to prevent untoward incidents.
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Speaking to The Hindu the organisers said that the people were at their wits’ end as despite numerous representations to the forest and revenue authorities an end to the wild elephant menace continues to be out of sight. The elephants which move alone, in pairs or in herds damage houses and vehicles and also attack people.
They said that trenches should be dug to keep the pachyderms away from habitations and adequate compensation given for the damages caused to property, crops etc. If a permanent solution is not found early the agitations would be intensified.
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Sources in the forest department said that everything possible was being done to shield the people from elephants.