Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia

Sullia, Aug 16: A scooter rider sustained injuries to his leg after being hit by shrapnel from a bullet fired in the air by forest department personnel to chase away a wild elephant. The incident occurred at Bengamale in Aivarnadu village on the night of August 12, but came to light belatedly.

The injured, A Raghava Prabhu, a resident of Yenadka in Peruvaje village, has been admitted to a hospital in Sullia and is receiving treatment as an inpatient. Forest department officials have assured that they will bear his medical expenses.

Narrating the incident, Prabhu stated that he was returning home after completing his bank work at around 7:30 pm on August 12, when he spotted a wild elephant crossing the road in Bengamale. He immediately turned his scooter back towards Sullia. At that moment, shrapnel from a bullet fired by the forest staff present at the spot to drive the elephant away struck his leg. Although he showed them the injury, they allegedly dismissed it, telling him it was nothing and asking him to leave.

As the pain aggravated the following day, he was admitted to the hospital, where doctors performed a surgery and successfully removed the shrapnel from his leg.

Prabhu pointed out that the forest department personnel should have issued a prior warning to the public before opening fire to chase the wild animal. He opined that the incident could have been averted if they had temporarily halted traffic on both sides of the road.