Farmer dies in tiger attack in Mysuru district, safaris suspended in Nagarahole, Bandipur
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Bengaluru (PTI): A farmer was killed in a tiger attack in Mysuru district on Friday, prompting Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre to order the suspension of safari operations in Nagarahole and Bandipur Tiger Reserves, and to halt trekking activities in areas prone to human-wildlife conflict with immediate effect.
He also directed that forest staff in safari operations be deployed for the ongoing operation to capture the big cat.
Chowdayya Nayak (35) was attacked and killed at Hale Heggudilu village in Saragur taluk of Mysuru district, officials said. This is the third such death in the region in the last one month, they added.
In a written instruction to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Khandre expressed grief over the deaths and ordered immediate suspension of safari services in both reserves until further notice.
Khandre said the loss of three human lives due to tiger attacks along the Bandipur - Nagarahole forest belt in Mysuru and Chamarajanagara districts within the last month was "deeply distressing".
According to a statement from the minister's office, following previous attacks, review meetings were held in Bandipur on October 27 and in Chamarajanagara on November 2 in the presence of district in-charge ministers and local MLAs.
"Discussions were held with farmers and local residents, and warnings were issued that safaris may be suspended if necessary. However, another tragic incident has occurred, causing shock," Khandre said.
He has now issued clear orders to halt safari operations in Nagarahole and Bandipur, and to suspend trekking in areas prone to human-wildlife conflict. Additionally, all officials, vehicle drivers and staff currently assigned to safari duties are to be deployed for the tiger capture operation, it stated.
The Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and the Director of Project Tiger have also been instructed to camp on site and take necessary steps to capture the tiger, the statement added.
Following the incident, BJP State President B Y Vijayendra slammed the government alleging that the ruling party in the state was mired in internal squabbles and completely sidelining farmers.
"The invaluable lives of farmers on the forest fringes of the state are being sacrificed one after another to wild animal attacks - this news is an utterly terrifying development. The government's conduct, treating the lives of our food providers as worthless, represents the extreme height of callousness," he said.
Today's incident of farmer falling victim to a tiger attack is nothing short of the divine negligence of the state government and forest department officials, he said.
"The forest department's irresponsible failure to implement measures that must be followed to prevent human-wildlife conflict is precisely what has caused the recurrence of tiger attacks," he said, in a post on 'X'. Vijayendra urged the government to take steps to save these invaluable human lives.
"If it fails to create a safe environment for the forest-fringe farmers who live with death in their hands, the government should prepare to face the people's outrage," he added.
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Businessman lured by FB friend, attacked for extortion in K'taka; 4 held
Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): Four people were arrested for allegedly assaulting, illegally confining and attempting to extort money from a 39-year-old businessman who was lured through a honeytrap set up on social media, police said on Monday.
The accused have been identified as Rachana, Malati, Darshan and Ravi.
Police said efforts are underway to nab the remaining suspects involved in the incident, which occurred on December 12 in Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu.
According to the complaint, the victim, a resident of Maddur taluk in Mandya district, was befriended by a woman identified as Rachana through Facebook, who later sought financial assistance and received Rs 5,000 from him via PhonePe on November 28.
When he asked her to return the money, the woman allegedly asked him to travel to Mysuru or Kushalnagar, promising to meet him.
The police said the woman later called the victim to Madikeri on December 12 and took him to a house near the market area, where they spent some time and consumed alcohol in the evening.
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Later that night, citing an emergency, the woman left the house. After her departure, three men allegedly broke into the house and attacked the victim, assaulting him with a stick and the handle of a sword, causing injuries to his face, mouth, chest and leg, the FIR stated.
The complainant alleged that he was forcibly confined, stripped and a nude video of him was recorded. The accused also allegedly threatened him with a toy gun, demanding Rs 50 lakh and warning that the video would be uploaded on social media if the money was not paid.
Police said the victim was held captive and somehow managed to escape in the early hours of December 13. However, after he escaped, the accused allegedly attempted to kidnap him in an autorickshaw, an incident that was captured on CCTV cameras.
Based on his complaint at the Madikeri Town police station, a case was registered under Sections 310(2) (dacoity), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a senior police officer said.
“Four accused, including two women, have been arrested. Efforts are on to nab two more absconding accused. Further investigation is on,” he added.
