Frustrated farmers in Bommalapura detain forest officials over delayed action against leopard and cheetah attacks.
Chamarajanagar
Frustrated with repeated wild animal attacks and delayed response from forest authorities, farmers in Bommalapura village of Gundlupete taluk detained forest personnel today while they were setting a trap to capture a leopard.
The region, with extensive forest cover, has seen frequent incursions by leopards and cheetahs into villages, preying on humans and livestock. Farmers alleged that despite repeated complaints, the forest department has failed to provide adequate protection, putting villagers’ lives at risk. In protest, villagers gathered the officials inside the trap (bon) placed on the land of a local resident, Gangappa, and expressed their anger.
Over the past two months, wild animals have been sighted near village outskirts, and livestock have been attacked. Farmers had earlier informed the forest department, which had set up a bon to capture the leopard. However, when the animal appeared again today, the forest personnel arrived late, aggravating villagers’ frustration. In retaliation, they detained seven personnel, including guards and watchers, in the trap and demanded immediate action.
Following the incident, Gundlupete’s ACF Suresh and Bandipur’s ACF Naveen Kumar visited the site. A heated exchange ensued between villagers and officials, with locals expressing fear for their lives due to wildlife threats and criticizing the authorities’ negligence. The forest officials later managed to calm the situation and were released from the trap.
