Association seeks probe into death of Maharaj

Coimbatore: Farmers demanded a judicial inquiry in connection with the death of the wild elephant Maharaj during the grievance meet held at the district collectorate on Friday.
Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam's Coimbatore district committee petitioned collector Archana Patnaik. The petition stated that the association appreciated the efforts by the administration and forest department to translocate the wild male elephant from Madukkarai.
Unfortunately, the elephant died in the krawl at Topslip a few days ago. There were various reports on the cause of its death stating that it died from a sedative overdose and torture in the krawl. The government should form a committee to probe the death of Madukkarai Maharaj to ascertain exact cause of its death, the petition said.
"A few days ago, a female elephant died after a speeding train hit it near Marappalam. The forest department should take appropriate action to save wild animals," said S Palanisamy, district president of the association.
PR Sundarasamy, a farmer from Thondamuthur said that farmers were affected due to wild boars. Their crops were also damaged but the forest department did not take any measures to control such damaged done by wild animals, he added.
District revenue officer T Christuraj assured farmers that the forest department would take appropriate action to prevent such man-animal conflicts.