Elephant tramples labourer, 45, to death in Balehonnur

Chikkamagaluru: A 45-year-old daily wage labourer was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Hunsehalli-Malligekhan region near Balehonnur in Chikkamagaluru on Monday. This is the 10th death in the Sringeri assembly segment in the recent past.Yallappa from Hangal in Haveri district was trampled to death around 2am, but the incident came to light only on Monday morning when a few labourers noticed the body lying on the ground, said authorities.According to the locals, Yallappa had visited his home town and returned to work. He was walking towards his quarters when the elephant attacked him at an estate.As the news spread across the region, hundreds of people, including planters and labours, gathered near the forest office in Balehonnur and staged a protest. The protesters warned officials of dire consequences if the elephant problem was not addressed. "We will barge into the forest and chase away the elephants. The district administration and the police will be responsible if any untoward incidents are reported," they warned.The protesters also argued with deputy conservator of forests Shivashankar. The officer assured they will take immediate measures to prevent human-elephant conflict. An elephant task force will be stationed in the region, and other possible measures will be taken, he said.Sringeri MLA TD Rajegowda told TOI that the govt will take all the necessary measures to prevent the conflict. "We will provide compensation to the family members of the deceased," he said, and urged people not to take the law into their own hands. The MLA said he wrote to the forest minister to take measures to rescue the conflict elephants in the region, and the minister has also directed the officials concerned to take measures.