Dharwad, Dec 28: A 70-year-old man was reportedly trampled to death by elephants at a farm in Chikkamalligwad village near Dharwad city, late in the night on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Irappa Mishrikoti, a farm watchman. Forest officials and villagers suspect that the herd of eight wild elephants that strayed into several villages here in the last few days, have caused this incident.
The incident came to light on Saturday afternoon when Irappa had not returned home. His body was found near the farm and elephant footprints were found a few metres away from the body, the forest officials said.
According to the villagers, Irappa must have tried to chase the elephants away from a tank close to the farm he guarded and in the melee, the elephants attacked and killed him.
The Forest department officials, who inspected the area, have confirmed that elephant footprints were found near the farm.
Two possibilities
The Forest officials, however, said that either Irappa was trampled by the elephants or the cattle knocked him down as they ran amok in fright, causing his death on spot. The autopsy report is awaited, they added.
The elephants have also damaged the haystack at the farm, some eyewitnesses said.
This herd of elephants have been spotted in several villages of Dharwad taluk in last few days. They were also spotted near the Belur industrial area on the outskirts of the city on December 24.
The Forests officials had also said that their staff had seen them entering the forests near Ramapur. But the Chikkamalligwad incident goes against their claims.
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