Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia
Sullia, March 1: A 17-year-old pre-university student was trampled to death in a wild elephant attack at Bettathuru village in Madikeri taluk, a border area adjoining Sullia, on the evening of February 28, triggering widespread outrage and a highway blockade by villagers and activists.
The deceased has been identified as Pooja (17), daughter of Girish (also referred to as Changappa in local accounts) of Bettathuru village. She was studying in I PUC at a pre-university college in Madikeri.
The incident occurred at around 5.30 pm.
According to reports, Pooja had just returned from college and had alighted near her house. In one account, she had arrived by bus and was walking home; in another, she had come on a motorcycle with her parents and had just got down when the elephant attacked from behind in the darkness.
The elephant reportedly charged suddenly and trampled her, killing her on the spot. Hearing her screams, her mother Devaki cried out in desperation, but the attack was swift and fatal. Her father, who had moved a short distance away to park the bike, rushed back on hearing the commotion, only to find his daughter lying in a pool of blood.
The body was shifted to the Government Hospital in Madikeri and kept in the mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is to be conducted.
Lone elephant, rising fear along Sullia border
Residents said a lone elephant has been frequently moving through Bettathuru and surrounding villages along the Sullia border. “We have complained several times about elephant movement, but no effective action was taken,” villagers alleged, accusing the Forest Department and the government of negligence.
They pointed out that elephant incursions into human habitation have become increasingly frequent in the region, resulting in loss of lives and property. “Unless scientific and permanent measures are taken, such tragic deaths will continue,” locals warned, mourning the loss of the young student who had recently completed her PU examinations and was looking forward to her holidays.
Highway blocked, officials assure action
The incident sparked intense protests on Sunday afternoon. Villagers, farmer organisations and BJP workers gathered at Madeenadu and blocked the Mysuru–Bantwal National Highway 275, demanding immediate action from the authorities.
Vehicular movement was disrupted for over two hours, with vehicles lined up for kilometres. Protesters raised slogans against forest officials and the government, alleging continued inaction despite repeated warnings about elephant movement.
Former MLA K G Bopaiah and BJP leaders present at the protest insisted that the agitation would not be withdrawn until senior forest officials arrived at the spot. Heated exchanges were reported between protesters and the police.
Later, Deputy Conservator of Forests Sonal Vrishni reached the protest site under tight police security and heard the grievances of the demonstrators. Protesters demanded suspension of officials responsible for lapses and concrete measures to prevent elephants from entering residential areas.
Following assurances that appropriate steps would be taken, the protest was withdrawn.
Rs 20 lac compensation
Madikeri DFO Abhishek visited the hospital and consoled the bereaved family. He assured that action would be initiated to capture the elephant responsible for the attack. The government has announced compensation of Rs 20 lac to the victim’s family.
The tragic death has once again underscored the worsening human–elephant conflict in the Kodagu–Sullia border region, with residents demanding urgent, long-term intervention to prevent further loss of innocent lives.