Chikkamagaluru: One migrant worker killed, another injured in wild tusker attack

Chikkamagaluru: A woman migrant worker was killed and another seriously injured in a wild elephant attack at a coffee plantation in Aldur on Sunday morning.

The deceased migrant worker has been identified as Sarojabai (45) whereas the injured has been identified as Duggappa. They both were natives of Byadagi in Ranibennur Taluk of Haveri.

The attack took place when the workers were busy picking peppercorns from the creepers on the trees. Without any forewarning, the lone tusker attacked the workers and threw them onto the ground. Due to the fall, the woman sustained grievous injuries and breathed her last at the hospital.

Duggappa, however, is severely injured and battling life and death, sources said.

One of Sarojabai’s three children was with her when the attack happened. Sarojabai asked the child to run away and inform other workers about the elephant’s presence. The other workers who were working in other parts of the plantation heard the cries of the woman and thought them to be the screams of monkeys. They only came to know of the attack when the child reached them and informed them about it. By the time they could reach to rescue the woman, she had been trampled by the elephant.

Locals alleged that man-animal conflict across the district has increased in recent years. Hers of elephants regularly raid the plantation and destroy crops. Moreover, at least 4 persons have lost their lives in attacks by the pachyderms in the last 3 to 4 years. They alleged that repeated petitions to the concerned authorities for a solution to the problems have gone unheard.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered in Aldur police station about the wild animal attack.