Elephant menace: 103 lost life in K'taka over last 5 years

Bangalore, June 29 (UNI) At least 103 people were trampled to death by wild elephants in various parts of the Karnataka in the last five years, Forest Minister C Chennigappa informed the Legislative Council.

In a written reply here yesterday, he said the Kodagu forest circle reported the highest number of 24 deaths followed by Area Director Tiger Project Mysore 21, Chamagajanagar Circle 18 and Mysore Circle 12.

He said the state government had paid Rs one lakh to each of the families of the deceased. It would disburse within a month compensation arrears for damage caused to crops by the pachyderms.

It had already released Rs 58.39 lakh for the purpose, he added.

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