Chikkamagalur (Karnataka), February 23 – The death of a woman labourer in a wild elephant attack in the village of Hunasagi in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, triggered protests and a shutdown in parts of the region on Monday.
At least ten police officers were injured in stone-throwing, and the police have registered cases against 29 protesters in connection with the violence following the woman's death.
The victim, identified as Boramma, a native of the Ballari district, had arrived in the coffee-growing region two weeks ago for work. She was killed by a wild elephant on Sunday near Balehonnur.
A shutdown was observed in the towns of Shringeri, N.R. Pura, and Koppa, with residents demanding a permanent solution to the recurring elephant incursions. Shops and businesses in Shringeri remained closed in support.
Protesters called on the state government and forest authorities to implement long-term measures to prevent further deaths from elephant attacks in the district.
A demonstration was held at the JCI Circle in Balehonnur. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) joined the protest, wearing black badges. Slogans were raised against the Congress-led state government and local MLA T.D. Raje Gowda.
Residents also expressed anger at the Forest Department personnel over repeated elephant attacks in the region.
Police Superintendent Jitendra Kumar Dayama said, "We took action to control the crowd while moving the body of the deceased woman."
Following the incident, villagers placed the body on the road and demanded immediate action. Tension escalated when officials tried to move the body. An argument broke out between the family members, relatives, and locals, after which the police used batons to disperse the crowd.
More than ten policemen were reportedly injured in stone-throwing. A District Armed Reserve vehicle was also targeted, and there was an attempt to overturn it. The police have registered cases against 29 individuals, and an FIR has been filed in connection with the violence.
Dalit organizations, along with leaders and workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular), later staged protests in Balehonnur, condemning both the elephant attack and the police action.
The body was subsequently taken to Vijayanagara village in north Karnataka. Local MLA from Kudligi, N.T. Srinivas, visited the area and held discussions with officials and the victim's family.