Incident at Hediyala in Bandipur limits; Villagers seek compensation, job for kin

Nanjangud: A tribal woman tending to her sheep and goats was killed in a tiger attack at Doranakatte Tribal Colony in Hediyala Range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve yesterday. The deceased is Machamma (45), wife of Maraiah, a resident of the colony.

The incident occurred yesterday afternoon when Machamma, along with Radhika and Nagamma, had taken more than 25 sheep and goats for grazing at the foothills of Nanjadevara Betta, about 1.5 km from the colony. A tiger suddenly pounced on Machamma, killed her and dragged her body into the forest.

Shocked by the attack, Radhika and Nagamma screamed for help, alerting villagers who rushed to the spot and began searching for Machamma. The tiger had dragged her body into the forest and left it near a waterhole before disappearing.

As more villagers and members of the public gathered at the spot, they informed Hediyala Forest officials and expressed anger over the incident.

Villagers demand compensation

When Forest officials arrived, villagers demanded compensation for the family, a Government job for one of Machamma’s family members and the installation of chain-link mesh along the railway barricades erected on the forest fringes to prevent wild animals from entering human habitations.

Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) L. Nandish assured them that compensation would be provided as per Government norms and steps would be taken to install the chain-link mesh.

Following the assurance, villagers helped shift the body to Hediyala General Hospital at around 6.30 pm. A post-mortem examination will be conducted today, after which the body will be handed over to the family.

It may be recalled that a tiger had created panic in Hediyala, Badagalapura, Hadanuru and surrounding areas last year, attacking people, killing two and seriously injuring another.

The repeated attacks had left villagers living in fear. Safari was also banned for six months. Subsequently, Forest officials conducted combing operations, during which more than 20 tigers and cubs were captured and relocated.