GADAG: A 70-year-old man, Shankarappa Hole, died after being struck by stray cattle in the Betgeri area of Gadag on Wednesday. Hole, a resident of Shigli village in Laxmeshwar taluk, was passing by Government Primary School No. 7 around 8 AM when he was hit by a cow involved in a fight with other cattle. Witnesses reported that Hole had come to visit relatives in Betgeri.
Following the incident, outraged Betgeri residents blocked Pala Badami Road, accusing the Gadag-Betgeri City Municipal Council (GBCMC) of negligence. “We had repeatedly requested GBCMC officials to address the stray cattle issue. They should act at least now,” they demanded.
Residents also criticized the delayed response of the 108 ambulance service, alleging it took nearly 30 minutes to arrive, which they believe could have saved Hole’s life.
Gadag Deputy Commissioner Govind Reddy visited the scene and instructed GBCMC officials to implement measures to control the stray cattle menace. GBCMC member Raghavendra Yalavatti stated that although drives to remove stray cattle had been conducted thrice in the past, public and Prani Daya Sangh members did not cooperate.
