The death of a woman laborer in a wild elephant attack at Hunasagi village in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district led to protests and a bandh in the region. The victim, identified as Boramma from Ballari district, was killed by a wild elephant near Balehonnur. Residents in Shringeri, N.R. Pura, and Koppa towns demanded lasting solutions to prevent further elephant incursions, observing a bandh in solidarity.
Protesters urged the state government and forest authorities to implement long-term measures to avoid future deaths from elephant attacks. Demonstrations were held, with leaders from political parties joining in wearing black badges. Tensions escalated when officials tried to move the victim’s body, leading to clashes and police intervention to disperse the crowd.
Following the incident, villagers demanded immediate action, resulting in clashes with the police and injuries to over ten officers. Cases have been filed against 29 individuals in connection with the violence. Dalit organizations and political party members later staged protests condemning both the elephant attack and the police response. The victim’s body was eventually taken to Vijayanagara village in north Karnataka for further proceedings.
