Gonikoppa: A two-wheeler rider was killed on the spot, when a wild elephant killed attacked him at Dhanugala village in Ponnampet taluk yesterday morning.

The deceased is Choma (48), a resident of Marapala Mahadeshwara Colony in the village.

Yesterday morning, Choma along with one Siddappa of the village had been to Maramma Temple on the bike and were returning, when the wild elephant attacked them on the main road near Konanakatte. Siddappa, who was riding pillion, jumped from the bike and managed to escape with minor injuries. But Choma, who fell down was trampled to death by the elephant which later entered into a nearby estate.

Gonikoppa Police, who rushed to the spot, conducted an inspection and have registered a case. The Police later shifted the body to the Government Hospital, where post-mortem was conducted and the body was handed over to the family members.

Villagers stage protest: As the news of the early morning elephant attack spread, hundreds of villagers, including from neighbouring villages staged a protest demanding compensation be given to the family of deceased Choma besides demanding the capture of the elephant. The protest was led by former MLC Arun Machaiah and Raitha Sangha members.

Meanwhile, villagers said that the residents of the village, who are now living in a sense of fear following the elephant attack, are even afraid to go to their fields for work.

Pointing out that such wild animal attacks have been going on now and then, the villagers accused the Forest Department officials of doing nothing to prevent such incidents and demanded the wild elephant be captured and relocated.

Meanwhile, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Satish, who arrived at the protest spot, assured the villagers that the wild elephant would be driven back to the forest and would be captured later. Nagarahole Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Mahesh Kumar handed over a cheque for Rs. 2 lakh to Choma’s wife Subbi. The remaining Rs. 5 lakh compensation will be provided soon, he said.