MYSURU, 26 OCT

Panic has engulfed villagers in Mysuru district following a fatal tiger attack on 58-year-old Rajashekar Murthy, a cattle herder from Mullur. The incident occurred on Sunday while he was grazing his cattle in an open field.

This attack marks the second fatality linked to a man-eating tiger in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's home district within a month; the first being in Badagalpura village. Forest officials reported that upon learning of the incident, personnel from the Hediyala forest range and Saraguru police quickly arrived on the scene.

Angered by the recurring attacks, villagers protested, accusing the Forest Department of negligence. Villagers noted the absence of forested areas near Mullur and expressed concerns over tigers frequently being sighted in the vicinity, even injuring locals and attacking livestock.

Minister for Forests, Biology, and Environment, Eshwara B Khandre, voiced his sorrow over the tragedy and urged caution for those grazing cattle or working near forest edges. He assured immediate action to capture the tiger and pledged compensation for the victim's family.