Mysuru, Feb. 4 – Fear has gripped the residents of Jattihundi village in the taluk after they spotted a tiger wandering near the village in broad daylight prompting the Forest Department to commence combing operation to trace and capture the tiger.

Following information from a villager that a tiger was spotted moving near Maratikyathanahalli, Jattihundi, Gohalli and Chikkire villages in the taluk, the Mysuru Division Forest officials and staff, along with Leopard Task Force (LTF) personnel, rushed to the spot and conducted combing operation for nearly two hours but could not trace the tiger nor found the pug marks.

But a CCTV camera installed in a nearby farm has captured the movement of the tiger following which the Forest Department staff continued the combing operation and have issued warning to the villagers to be careful and not to move alone.

The Forest Department have decided to use thermal drone and conduct combing operation during night.

It is suspected that the tiger which was spotted near Jattihundi could be the same tiger which was spotted along with cubs near Aloka in Yelwal about three months back.

Yesterday morning, there was a rumour about the tiger attacking a villager, but no clues were found about the tiger attack during the combing operation.

As the person who had called the Forest officers after spotting the tiger is also safe, it is clear that the tiger attack information was just a rumour.

Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) K. Paramesh, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Santosh Hugar and over 20 staff conducted combing operation.