Krishnagiri: 2 die in twin incidents of jumbo attack

KRISHNAGIRI: At least two persons were killed in different incidents of man-elephant conflict in a span of nine days in the western district of Krishnagiri.

In the first case earlier this month, 60-year-old C. Muniamma of Chinnapappanapalli village, near Shoolagiri on Chennai - Bengaluru NH, went to procure her monthly quota of essentials at a fair price shop at Ankondapalli village. She had to cross a forest patch to reach the shop. On her way to the shop on Friday evening, she was attacked by wild elephants in the Settipalli reserved forest, and she died.

Her relatives found her dead in the jungle and informed the forest department. Forest officials confirmed that she was trampled by wild elephants.

In the second incident, 65-year-old Govindappa was killed by a female elephant that strayed with its calf into his village. The victim entered the forest fringe with his livestock, and tried to escape on noticing the elephant charging him.

But the animal caught him and smashed his body on the rocks before trampling him to death.

Following the deaths, forest officials have beefed up vigil to monitor the movement of the wild jumbos and inform the villagers. They have asked villagers not to venture into forest areas where elephant movement is reported.