Hunsur – Two persons met with a tragic end after a dried Peepal tree crashed on them near Azad Nagar on Hunsur-H.D. Kote Road yesterday. The deceased have been identified as Mahesh (38), a textile vendor selling clothes on moped and T.K. Prakash (53), a farmer from Ramenahalli in the taluk, while two others who sustained injuries and were rushed to general hospital here are Nazeeb Khan and Sikender of Azad Nagar. Mahesh was riding his moped and Prakash was walking carrying a tray containing saplings on his head at about 11 am, when the tree that was chopped, got uprooted following a windstorm and fell on them, killing them on the spot.

However, other pedestrians Nazeeb Khan and Sikander, managed to escape from the falling tree. The two who sustained minor injuries were treated at Hunsur General Hospital.

Following the incident, the villagers staged a demonstration accusing the Forest Department officials of not visiting the spot despite the death of two persons. The irate villagers blocked the road for some time, causing severe disruption in vehicular movement. Later the Police convinced the villagers and cleared the road, making way for traffic movement.

Compensation: MLA H.P. Manjunath, who was in Bengaluru, after learning about the incident, announced Rs. 25,000 compensation to the family of the deceased. Also, Rs. 25,000 was given as compensation to the family from the Forest Dept. The Dept. officials also assured to provide more compensation.