Chikkamagaluru: The family of 29-year-old Meena, a labourer who was attacked by a wild elephant on Wednesday morning near Hedadalu, Moodigere in the Chikkamagaluru district, will receive Rs 15 lakh in compensation, according to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also gave the go-ahead for the compensation cheque to be issued right away.
In addition, Siddaramaiah expressed his sorrow over the laborer’s death.
To send the wild elephants back into the forest and away from the threat, the Chief Minister called an urgent meeting in Mudigere with the Deputy Commissioner, SP, and top Forest Department officials.
The district administration has received a clear directive from the chief minister to promptly take the required steps to return the wild elephants to the forest.
When the Chief Minister called the demonstrators arguing over Meena’s lifeless body, she informed them that all necessary precautions have been taken to prevent elephant attacks.
Additionally, the minister of forests will show up and call a meeting to discuss the next steps for the rescue efforts. He said that coffee plantations next to the forest are being infiltrated by wild elephants.
The Chief Minister said that he has discussed the matter with the Forest Minister to direct the task force to take necessary measures including railway fencing.
Responding to the insistence of locals and protestors that the wild elephants should be shot and killed, the Chief Minister calmed them and asked them not to think to that extent and instructed the officials to take other effective measures.
