PCCF issues shoot at sight order; shooter from Kodagu being summoned for the task

T. Narasipur: Even as the death of a youth in a leopard attack incident at M.L. Hundi village last month is still fresh in the minds of the villagers, a girl student was killed when a leopard attacked her at S. Kebbehundi village in the taluk yesterday.

The deceased student is Meghana (22), daughter of Ramesh Nayaka of the village, who was pursuing her education at the Government Women’s College in T. Narasipur. Meghana, who had sustained serious injuries in the leopard attack, was admitted to T. Narasipur Government Hospital, where she succumbed to injuries. 

Meanwhile, villagers have expressed their anger on the Forest Department and the Taluk Administration.

They said that last month a youth was killed by a leopard and now a girl student has been killed. “Though leopard attacks were taking place frequently across the taluk, the Forest Department and the Taluk Administration officials were doing nothing to solve the problems,” they said and staged a protest in front  of the hospital.

MLA Ashwin Kumar, who arrived at the hospital, collected information from the villagers and consoled the family members of Meghana. He then sat on a dharna among the protesting villagers and demanded the District Minister, Deputy Commissioner and Forest officials to visit the spot.

Dy.SP Govindaraju, Sub-Inspector Tirumallesh, Dr. Bharathi, Dr. Revanna and others were present.

Meanwhile, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Kamala Karikalan and Conservator of Forests (CF) Dr. Malathi Priya, who arrived at the protest spot yesterday night, held discussions with them. Kamala Karikalan said that T. Narasipur Range Forest Officer (RFO) would be sent on compulsory leave and a department enquiry will be initiated against him.

She further said that teams comprising 15 experts will be formed to capture the leopard and added that the leopard would be shot dead if necessary.

Stating that a compensation of Rs. 7.5 lakh will be given to the deceased girl’s family, Kamala Karikalan handed over a cheque for Rs. 5 lakh at the spot and the remaining was paid after the post-mortem.

CF Dr. Malathi Priya said that the Forest Department would provide a job to one person from the deceased Meghana family on contract basis and added that permission has been obtained to shoot the leopard dead. It is learnt that the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) has given the shootout order for which expert shooter from Kodagu is being summoned for the task.

Statistics of leopards captured

According to the statistics from the Forest Department, 15 leopards were captured in Mysuru Division in 2020-21, 24 in 2021-22 and 14 leopards have been captured in 2022 till date.

In Hunsur Division, six leopards were captured in 2020-21 and three in 2022 till date.

In Mandya Division, seven leopards were captured in 2022 till date.