Chamarajanagar: Leopard carcass found near Karikallu quarry, poisoning suspected
Chamarajanagar: Even before the district could recover from the shocking incident of five tigers allegedly poisoned in the Meenyam forest area of Malemahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Hanur taluk, another suspicious wildlife death has come to light, this time of a leopard.
The carcass of a 5 to 6-year-old male leopard was discovered on a rock near the Karikallu quarry in Kothalawadi, Chamarajanagar taluk. Officials believe the leopard may have died two to three days ago.
Adding to the suspicion, carcasses of a calf and a dog were also found nearby, raising suspicions of poisoning. Locals who came across the scene alerted the forest department.
According to sources a team of officials arrived and conducted an initial inspection.
The Bandipur dog squad was brought in for further examination. A post-mortem was carried out by veterinarians Dr. Wasim and Dr. Murthy, after which the leopard’s carcass was cremated. The forest department has registered a case and initiated an investigation.
Notably, in December 2023, two tigers were found dead under mysterious circumstances near the same Karikallu quarry.
Their decomposed remains were discovered several days later, and the exact cause of death was never determined. The latest incident involving the leopard has now reignited suspicions surrounding wildlife deaths in the area.
Top forest officials, including Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Hiralal, BRT Tiger Project Director Sripathy, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Manjunath, RFO Sandeep, DRFOs Amarnath and Suresh, and others visited the spot and conducted an on-ground investigation into the matter.
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
