TUSKER KILLS A SWIMMER;

Mdikeri January 19

A swimmer who had saved many lives was killed by a wild elephant yesterday at Maldare forest range.

Aboobaker, 42 was walking in the forest along with two others around noon. A tusker from nowhere rushed towards them and took Aboobaker with its trunk and threw him in the air. Trumpeting, it gave chase to the two others, Naveen and Roy. As they took to their heels, the tusker trampled Aboobaker and killed him on the spot.

Aboobaker was known by people to save them, whenever they get drowned in rivers or caught in a whirlpool.

Range forest officer Chinnappa, Sub inspector A.Amanulla and other officials visited the place.

It can be recalled that about five wild elephants were caught by the forest department in the same area since a month. The operation elephant is going on as the elephant menace is on the increase in the region. People are killed and properties are being damaged.

The forest department has sought permission to capture ten more wild elephants.

LORRY WAY LAID, ROBBED

A lorry moving towards Kerala from kodagu was way laid and the driver robbed of cash.

According to Srimangala police, a school teacher Dhananjay and his friend Sanju way laid the lorry near Hudikeri on the night of Saturday. They beat the driver and two others and snatched the cash away. Rupees fifteen thousand is missing and the driver has lodged a complaint.

The duo reportedly posed as police and took the lorry near police station and fled.

Lorry owner Balu and driver Raghulal lodged complaint with the police.