In a unique demonstration, farmers in Kalaburagi brought a live crocodile to the Gescom office on Thursday, protesting against the supply of electricity to irrigation pumps only at night.
The farmers, hailing from Gobbur (B) village in Afzalpur taluk, captured the reptile on a farm near the Bhima River. They claimed that working at night made them vulnerable to attacks from crocodiles and snakes. To highlight their plight, they tied the crocodile with a rope and transported it to the Gescom office in a bullock cart.
Lakshman Poojary, one of the farmers, had spotted the crocodile in his field while watering crops at night. Alarmed, he called fellow farmers, and together they restrained the reptile before deciding to use it in their protest.
The farmers demanded that Gescom alter the power supply schedule, starting at 6 AM instead of 4 AM, to reduce the risk of wildlife encounters. Upon receiving the information, PSI Rahul Pawade from Devala Ganagapur police station arrived and persuaded the farmers to hand over the crocodile to the forest department.
The reptile, estimated to be around 10 years old, was later shifted to the mini zoo in Kalaburagi. Divisional Forest Officer Sanjeev Kumar Chavan confirmed that it was in good health and had not been harmed.
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