Two estate workers were trampled to death by an elephant in Attikunna, near Pandalur, about 80 kilometres from Coimbatore.
Manisekhar was on his way back home after purchasing from a shop near the estate around 10.30 PM yesterday, when an elephant caught him with its trunk, hurled him down and trampled him to death. Nearby workers who witnessed the incident immediately called up the police and the forest department officials.
By then villagers had gathered around the dead body and prevented the police from taking it away for post mortem. They relented only when senior district officials arrived and convinced them, around 00.30 AM. The body was then shifted to Gudalur Government Hospital.
Meanwhile, the body of another estate worker, Karnan, was recovered some distance away, in Attikunna, around 12 PM today. Authorities suspect that the worker was killed the previous night, most likely by the same elephant.
Protest erupted all over Pandalur, demanding measures to prevent the recurring man-animal conflicts. Nearly 200 shops downed their shutters as part of the protests.
Manisekhar was on his way back home after purchasing from a shop near the estate around 10.30 PM yesterday, when an elephant caught him with its trunk, hurled him down and trampled him to death. Nearby workers who witnessed the incident immediately called up the police and the forest department officials.
By then villagers had gathered around the dead body and prevented the police from taking it away for post mortem. They relented only when senior district officials arrived and convinced them, around 00.30 AM. The body was then shifted to Gudalur Government Hospital.
Meanwhile, the body of another estate worker, Karnan, was recovered some distance away, in Attikunna, around 12 PM today. Authorities suspect that the worker was killed the previous night, most likely by the same elephant.
Protest erupted all over Pandalur, demanding measures to prevent the recurring man-animal conflicts. Nearly 200 shops downed their shutters as part of the protests.