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Mysuru, Oct 27 (IANS) Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Ishwar Khandre was heckled by family members and villagers in Mysuru on Monday when he visited a mortuary to condole the death of a farmer killed in a tiger attack. The family and villagers expressed their anger and questioned the minister on the failure of the authorities which led to the tragedy.
The deceased, 54-year-old Rajasekhar, was killed in a tiger attack while grazing cattle near Mulluru village in Saragur taluk of Mysuru district on Sunday. Villagers alleged that though forest officials had kept a track of the tiger’s movement, they failed to install a cage, resulting in the death of the farmer.
This is the second incident of a farmer being killed by a tiger in Mysuru district within 15 days. The villagers were also angry that Minister Khandre did not go to the spot nor meet the victim’s family despite attending a nearby program on Sunday.
Shivanand, son of deceased Rajasekhar, said, “Minister Khandre was attending an event just 12 kilometers away from where the incident took place. We called him, but he decided not to go there. The attack took place at 11 am, and the police and forest officials arrived only at 4 pm. Without informing the family, they took the body to Mysuru for the convenience of the minister, which was unnecessary.”
Farmer activists alleged that authorities have failed to respond adequately to repeated tiger attacks and warned that they may have to file cases against officials. “This is the second death in just 15 days and it is unfortunate that Minister Khandre did not visit the victim’s family despite being nearby,” he said.
Responding to the outrage, Minister Khandre said, “We have received information about the incident. Disciplinary action will be taken against officials responsible for lapse or negligence, including forest department officials.”
When asked why he did not visit the site despite being nearby, the minister said, “I received the information only after the incident, when I was about to travel to some other place. Local MLA Anil Chikkamadu informed me that he would visit the site, and he did so. When the victim’s family spoke to me over the phone, I assured them that I would visit later.”
The minister said, “This is a tragic incident. The government stands with the bereaved family and strongly condemns this tragedy. Such incidents should not happen again. I have called a meeting in Bandipur to discuss the precautionary measures in detail and prevent such incidents in future.”
Explaining the broader issue, he said, “The victim was attacked by a tiger while grazing cattle in the forest. Man-animal conflict is nothing new; it has existed for hundreds of years. We must create a conducive environment where humans and wildlife can live together. Over the years, forest areas have been encroached upon, and the population of wild animals has increased.”
“The family will be compensated and I will try to ensure additional financial support for them. Illegal resorts running in forest areas will also be removed,” Khandre said.
–IANS
MKA/PGH