Man Trampled to Death in Latest Hassan District Elephant Attack
Human-wild elephant conflict in Hassan district has escalated dramatically, resulting in another tragic fatality. On Sunday morning, 65-year-old Raja Shetty was killed by a wild elephant in Kanaguppe village, Belur taluk, marking a distressing pattern of violence in the region.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Raja Shetty was heading to his farm early in the morning when the elephant attacked him just 50 meters from his home. According to eyewitness accounts from villagers, the elephant first threw Shetty to the ground using its trunk before trampling him to death. The animal remained near the body for several minutes, preventing villagers from approaching due to fear. Forest department officials eventually arrived at the scene within Arehalli police limits.
Villagers Express Anger and Frustration
Local residents have voiced strong criticism against forest authorities following this incident. Theju Kumar, a villager, specifically condemned forest department officials and Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre for what he described as irresponsible handling of the situation. "Foresters' irresponsibility has directly resulted in this ongoing man-elephant conflict," Kumar stated. "The forest department and Elephant Task Force have failed to perform their duties efficiently. Despite clear elephant movements, officials remained silent and didn't alert people. We urgently need a permanent solution to this menace."
Another resident highlighted the daily dangers faced by the community, noting that elephants regularly move through the area during morning and evening hours, making it hazardous for children and farmers to travel safely.
Alarming Statistics and Historical Context
This tragedy represents the second elephant-related death in Kanaguppe village within just one year. More broadly, Hassan district has recorded 88 human fatalities from elephant attacks since 2000. The situation has worsened recently, with five people killed in just three months during early 2025, with Belur taluk experiencing the most severe impact.
Conflicts typically occur in coffee plantations and farmland during early morning or evening hours when elephants are transitioning between locations. This pattern suggests predictable movement corridors that could potentially be managed with proper intervention.
Community Response and Official Reactions
Following Shetty's death, villagers staged protests and raised slogans against both the forest department and state government, demanding immediate action to prevent further tragedies. In response, a forest department officer claimed the department has been making necessary efforts to prevent such incidents, though acknowledged that "untoward incidents were reported." The officer promised "stringent measures to control the menace" moving forward.
The growing tension between local communities and wildlife authorities underscores the urgent need for effective conflict mitigation strategies in Hassan district's human-elephant interface zones.
