Madikeri: A wild tusker attacked workers inside a private estate at Ghattadalla in Karadigodu village under Siddapura limits on Monday morning, killing a 34-year-old labourer from West Bengal.The victim, identified as Gopal Baluri, was reportedly chased and trampled to death by the elephant. Another estate worker, Jadavi Baluri, 33, narrowly escaped but sustained serious injuries. He is currently undergoing treatment at the District Hospital in Madikeri.According to official data, eight people have lost their lives in Kodagu district this year due to elephant attacks.The incident triggered protests across the district, with residents and labour organisations condemning the rising number of deaths caused by elephant attacks. “Just a week ago, a worker was killed in a wild elephant attack, and now another labourer has lost his life. Human life has become worthless in the district,” said PR Bharath, a labour union leader.Protesters also demanded that estate owners provide better protection for workers employed in elephant-prone areas. The union warned of a district-wide bandh if officials failed to convene a meeting to discuss solutions to the escalating human-wildlife conflict.Meanwhile, farmers, labourers, and residents of rural areas continue to live in fear due to the worsening elephant menace in Kodagu district. The BJP Raitha Morcha on Monday urged the state govt to formulate a permanent solution to the problem.“Human lives are being lost to elephant attacks. Domestic animals are falling prey to tigers and leopards. Crops are being destroyed overnight, pushing the farming community into distress. We need a permanent solution that protects both people and farmers,” said Ammuni Chanda Ranji Poonachha, president of the BJP Raitha Morcha’s Kodagu district unit.He also alleged that families affected by elephant attacks and other wildlife-related incidents were not receiving adequate compensation.Poonachha urged the govt to simplify the compensation process for crop losses and establish a system that ensures financial assistance is directly credited to farmers’ bank accounts without delay.
