Planters appeal for ‘considerate view’ of MLA’s statement on elephant attack

Hassan: The District Planters’ Association has said that the words spoken by local MLA H.K. Suresh about the Deputy Conservator of Forests and others should not be taken too seriously even as an elderly person was attacked by a wild elephant two days ago near Bellavar village in Belur taluk.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, the association’s president A.S. Paramesh said that people were angry with the MLA since that morning because he spoke loudly as superior officials were late in reaching the spot of attack. He said this was not due to malice or any other reason. KGF General Secretary Surendra said that even after decades, the wild elephant problem has not been resolved in our area.

“The elephant-human conflict has not ended. We have been fighting continuously but to no avail. Recently, the wild elephant problem has exceeded the limits and there have been frequent deaths and injuries. The MLA has spoken like this out of concern and interest of the people. He has raised his voice on behalf of the people.  Sometimes, when society is in a state of flux, public representatives and the media have to take tough action. Therefore, I appeal that there is no need to take what the MLAs have said to heart,” he said.

Office-bearers K.B. Lohit, Basavaraju, Sanjay and Manjunath Shetty were present at the press conference.