Farmers in Kodagu vent ire over delay in capturing tiger

During a protest held under the aegis of Raitha Sangha in Madikeri on Monday, farmers and labourers vented their ire over the delay by the forest department in capturing the tiger which killed three persons in Kodagu in the recent past.

Farmer leaders from Mandya and Mysuru also took part in the protest. They said the forest department’s move as an eye-wash.

Farmers alleged that the tiger capturing operation has created confusion among people and the labourers are living in panic.

“Even after 23 days of the tiger claiming the life of a labourer, the forest department has no clear vision to deal with the problem. The forest department personnel have been conducting trips for namesake,” they said.

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During the protest meeting held in front of the DC’s office, Kodagu Raitha Sangha district president Manu Somaiah said, “How many more lives need to be sacrificed till the real tiger is captured? The higher officials of the forest department are not issuing written orders. This is the reason why sharpshooter Susheel Kumar stepped back from the operation.”

He alleged that Deputy Commissioner Charulata Somal and Superintendent of Police Kshama Mishra have not visited the protest site even though the farmers are protesting in Bellur in Ponnampet for a week. Also, the MP of the region, Pratap Simha has not taken care to speak to the farmers.

The deputy commissioner has assured the protestors that she will visit the spot in the next two days.

Former minister M C Nanaiah, Kodagu Rakshana Vedike president Pawan Pemmaiah and Mysuru Raitha Sangha leader Hosakete Basavaraj were present, among others.

Department in need of expert hands

Meanwhile, forest department sources stated that the lives of other tigers could not be taken, presuming that it is the same tiger that had killed people. In the current team, only three persons are entitled to shoot the tranquillizer at the tiger.

It is said that the personnel have been hesitating to shoot down the tiger as the repercussions of the action could be serious, given the provisions under the National Tiger Conservation Act.

Even though PCCF Vijay Kumar Gogi who had visited Srimangala last week had said that the forest department officials have been given the power to make the decision, the operation has not been successful so far. In case of violation, the officials may land up in trouble.

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Four days ago, sharpshooter Susheel Kumar waited on the terrace of a house located near the place where the tiger had killed a cow. A tiger was spotted in the region. However, the animal could be shot at, only when the tranquillizing fails.

As there was no tranquillizer specialist right then, this procedure could not be followed. A forest department official who was on the spot is believed to have told Susheel Kumar to shoot the animal at his own risk, as they were not sure it was the same tiger that had killed the people.

Even though the National Tiger Conservation Authority had given its permission to Susheel Kumar to shoot the tiger down, the ambiguity resulted in Susheel dropping the plan and returning to Bengaluru. The department is trying to deploy another sharpshooter Tyag Uttappa, according to sources.