Chikkamagaluru, 22 Feb

The menace of wild elephants continues to haunt the coffee-growing region of Chikkamagaluru in Karnataka, claiming yet another life within a span of four days. A woman labourer was trampled to death in an elephant attack on Sunday morning, triggering panic and sparking protests against the Forest Department.

The incident occurred at a plantation owned by Nagesh Gowda near Hunasehalli in the Koppa forest range of Chikkamagaluru district. The deceased Boramma, was a native of Kudligi in Vijayanagara district. She was reportedly working in the estate when the wild elephant suddenly killed her.

Tensions escalated when forest officials attempted to shift the body to a mortuary in a pickup. Residents opposed the move, placed the body on the state highway, and staged a protest. They alleged that the Forest Department had failed to take measures to prevent elephant attacks.

This is the second fatality in the same area within four days. Earlier, Yallappa from Hanagaltaluk in Haveri district was killed in a similar attack at the same plantation. The deaths have created an atmosphere of fear among estate workers.

After the earlier incident, the Forest Department had deployed seven trained kumki elephants to capture the rogue animal. However, officials have temporarily suspended the operation as the elephant is reportedly in musth, making it highly aggressive.