H.D. Kote: A 22-year-old Forest Watcher was killed when a wild elephant attacked him at Gundre Forest Range in N. Begur Gram Panchayat limits yesterday evening.

The deceased Watcher is Shashank, son of Chandru and a resident of Kalaiahanahalli village in the taluk.

Yesterday evening, Forest Watchers Shashank and Raju were patrolling near the Inspection Bungalow (IB) near Jagur in Gundre Forest Range, when a wild elephant suddenly attacked them.

When both Shashank and Raju were fleeing towards Kabini backwaters, the wild elephant, which chased them gored Shashank on his stomach and threw him into the backwaters. Shashank, who had sustained serious injuries, breathed his last on the spot while Raju jumped into the backwater and escaped.

Based on the information from Raju, Gundre Range Forest Officer (RFO) Amrutesh and staff, who arrived at the spot, fished out the body of Shashank from the backwaters and shifted it to H.D. Kote General Hospital.

MLA visits hospital: MLA Anil Chikkamadu, who visited the hospital, paid his respects to deceased Shashank and consoled his family members.

The MLA, said that deaths due to wild elephant attacks are being reported and instructed Forest officials to take steps to prevent such deaths in future.

Pointing out that works on installing rail barricades in forest borders have begun, the MLA said that it is unfortunate that Shashank, the Forest Watcher was killed in an elephant attack and added that Rs. 30 lakh compensation would be given to deceased Shashank’s family by the State Government.

Stating that Rs. 5 lakh cheque has been given, he said that the remaining compensation amount will be given in the coming days and assured of getting a job in the Forest Department for Shashank’s sister and benefits given by the Government. The MLA handed over Rs. 5 lakh compensation cheque to deceased Shashank’s mother.

Post-mortem was conducted and the body was handed over to the family members. A case has been registered at Antharasanthe Police Station.

Assistant Conservator of Forests Satish N. Begur Range Forest Officer Manjunath Bagewadi, staff Mahesh, H.D. Kote General Hospital Administrative Officer Dr. Srinivas, Antharasanthe Sub-Inspector Chandrahasa, staff Gopal, N. Begur Gram Panchayat President Shailendra, Member Manju, Tribal leader Chikanna, Nataraju, Siddaraju, Prasanna Kadumane and others were present.