Raitha Sangha members, planters block Srimangala-Kutta State Highway in protest

Srimangala (Kodagu):  A 42-year-old coffee planter, who was proceeding to a shop from his estate at Kaimane in Srimangala was trampled to death by a wild elephant this morning.

The deceased is Chokira Sudha Kuttappa of Srimangala in South Kodagu.

As soon as the news of the wild elephant trampling the coffee planter to death spread, members of various farmer associations and coffee planters stage a protest over the inaction by the Forest Department officials in controlling the frequent elephant menace by blocking the Srimangala-Kutta State Highway.

The protestors said that there have been frequent attacks by wild elephants in the area which has resulted in loss of lives and damage to crops besides adding that the elephant menace in the region has increased recently.

They said that despite several such incidents taking place, the Forest Department officials have not taken any action to control the menace and have failed to protest the lives of humans and domestic animals.

Meanwhile, Forest officials visited the spot and a case has been registered at Srimangala Police Station in this regard.