Goa CM announces Rs one lakh compensation to slain forester

Panaji, Jun 23 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today announced Rs one lakh compensation to the kin of forest employee Rajendra K Bhagat who was killed by an elephant in a forest in North Goa late last night.

Stating that four forest officials were killed by wild elephants in the last few years, the Chief Minister has directed the authorities to explore the possibility of driving the elephants back into the jungles of Maharashtra and Karnataka to avoid further damage to crops in the state.

Mr Kamat told mediapersons at his official residence that he has instructed the authorities of agriculture Department to assess the damage caused to plantations within eight days and submit a report before announcing a suitable compensation.

Earlier, a delegation of 50 affected farmers, led by state Panchayat Raj Minister Mahonar Azgaonkar, explained to the Chief Minister problems faced by people when pachyderms strayed into the villages.

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