Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
*Chief Minister Siddaramaiah holds an emergency meeting with the senior officials to send the wild elephants back to the forest and avoid the menace.
Chief Minister condoled the death of Meena, a 29-year-old woman labourer who died due to the wild elephant attack this morning near Hedadalu,Moodigere in Chikkamagaluru district, and he instructed the officials to immediately issue the compensation cheque of Rs.15 lakh.
The Chief Minister held an emergency meeting with the Deputy Commissioner,SP and senior officials of the Forest Department in Mudigere.
The CM has given a clear instruction to the district administration to immediately take necessary action to send back the wild elephants to the forest.
The Chief Minister spoke to the protestors over the phone who were fighting over the dead body of Meena and said that instructions are given to take all necessary measures to avoid elephant attacks.
The Forest Minister will also arrive and hold a meeting regarding the action on the rescue measures.Wild elephants are entering coffee plantations which are adjacent to the forest area.
The Chief Minister said that he has discussed the matter with the Forest Minister to direct the task force to take necessary measures including railway fencing.
Responding to the insistence of locals and protestors that the wild elephants should be shot and killed,the Chief Minister calmed them and asked them not think to that extent and instructed the officials to take other effective measures.
