Madikeri: The ongoing human-elephant conflict in Kodagu district has claimed another life. Pooja (17), a first-year PUC student, died on the spot after being attacked by a wild elephant in Bettathur village of Madikeri taluk on Saturday evening.

Details of the Incident

Pooja, the daughter of Girish from Bettathur village (under Made Gram Panchayat), was a student at St. Michael's School in Madikeri. On Saturday evening around 5:30 PM, she reached Bettathur by bus after finishing her college classes. As she was walking home from the bus stop, a wild elephant hiding in the bushes launched a sudden attack. Due to the severity of the attack, Pooja passed away at the scene.

Local Outrage and Protest

As news of the incident spread, the residents of Bettathur village expressed fierce anger against the Forest Department.

Failure of Forest Department: Villagers staged a protest, alleging that the department has completely failed to prevent elephant depradation in the area.They demanded that the rogue elephants be captured immediately and that the deceased girl's family be provided with prompt and adequate compensation.

Official Visit and Compensation Announcement

Madikeri Division Forest Officer (DFO) Abhishek visited the spot and offered his condolences to the grieving family. Speaking to the media, he stated:

The government will provide ₹20 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased student. Immediate measures will be taken to capture the wild elephant responsible for the attack. The body of the young girl has been kept in the mortuary of the Madikeri Government Hospital.