A tragic incident occurred in the Pileru area of Punganur constituency when a farmer was brutally killed by a herd of elephants that had been roaming the region for several days. The victim, identified as Raja Reddy, was attacked while trying to protect his crops from the herd, which had entered his mango grove. Despite his efforts, the elephants trampled him, leaving the local farming community in deep distress.
The herd of 15 elephants has been causing havoc in the constituency, devastating farmlands and leaving farmers helpless as they witness the destruction of their crops. The elephants have been particularly active in the areas of Devalampeta, Ayyavandlapalle, and Errapapireddypalle, often attacking crops and creating panic among residents.
Forest officials, alerted by the recent fatal attack, have rushed to the site to assess the situation. Immediate efforts to move the elephants back to the forest area have been intensified as part of the government’s ongoing measures to mitigate the issue.
The Andhra Pradesh government has already taken steps to protect farmers and crops from elephant attacks in districts like Chittoor, Manyam, Vizianagaram, and Parvathipuram. In a bid to resolve the issue, deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan recently signed a key agreement with the Karnataka government. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has responded positively to the measures aimed at addressing the problem.
The agreement between the two states includes provisions such as the training of Maavatis (elephant handlers), the transfer of Kunki elephants to Andhra Pradesh, and the maintenance of elephant camps to control the situation. These joint efforts aim to provide a long-term solution to the elephant menace, which has been a persistent issue for farmers in the affected districts.
The farmer’s death has further intensified calls for swift and effective action, as the community grapples with both grief and fear.
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