Mysuru: A farmer was attacked and killed by a tusker while he was returning home in the early hours of Tuesday after spending the night guarding his crops in Hanchipura village, which is close to Omkar Range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR).DCF K Paramesh said the deceased is Shivakumar, 56, a resident of Devarayashettypura, and an investigation is under way.His six-acre farmland, located adjacent to the Omkara forest region, has banana and ginger crops. It is said that he had been keeping a watch for the past six to seven months. On Tuesday morning, while he was on his way back from the field, a lone tusker charged at him, killing him on the spot.Villagers alleged that though foresters were informed on phone around 5.30am — soon after the incident — they arrived only at 10am.Nanjangud MLA Darshan Dhruvanarayana visited the family of the deceased and offered condolences and assured them that govt would provide compensation of Rs. 20 lakh. He also promised action against forest officials accused of negligence.Tiger found dead in snareA tiger, that was caught in a snare laid to catch wild animals in the border areas of Maddur forest range of BTR, was found dead.The carcass of the big cat was completely decomposed, making it dificult for officers to ascertain its age or sex.Bandipur drector L Nandish told TOI the incident came to light while forest staff was on regular beat work on Monday.The IFS officer said all its wildlife properties, including claws, teeth and pelt are intact. Teams have been formed to check any such traps laid in the region.
