Coimbatore : After frequent representations from members of the Tamil Nadu Anti-Poaching Watchers and other Workers Association (TNAPWWA) and suggestions from senior officials from Coimbatore Forest Department, the Tamil Nadu State Government has released a sum of Rs. Four lakh to the family of R. Venkatesh, who was trampled to death by elephant Vinayagan here.
Coimbatore : After frequent representations from members of the Tamil Nadu Anti-Poaching Watchers and other Workers Association (TNAPWWA) and suggestions from senior officials from Coimbatore Forest Department, the Tamil Nadu State Government has released a sum of Rs. Four lakh to the family of R. Venkatesh, who was trampled to death by elephant Vinayagan here.
In the Government order that was released on Thursday, Shambu Kallolikar, Principal Secretary to State Government under the Department of Environment and Forests has claimed that after close examination of the requests made by senior officials, a the above said sum has been released.
Earlier, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Ravi Kant Upadhyay had written to the department seeking a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh, as Venkatesh was killed while carrying out his duty as a Rapid Response Team (RRT) member.
It was also suggested by officials from the Coimbatore Circle to give Venkatesh’s family an additional sum of Rs. 6 lakh along with the regular Rs. 4 lakh that is offered for elephant attack victims.
While a sum of Rs. 4 lakh was immediately handed over, the State Government has sanctioned an additional Rs. 4 lakh on Thursday which is to be handed over soon.
It may be noted that the victim R. Venkatesh was killed by elephant Vinayagan around 1.30 am on the 25th of October at Doctor Thottam in Pappanaickenpalayam near Thadagam, when members of RRT and Anti Poaching Watchers (APW) were involved in driving back two wild elephants, Vinayagan Chinnathambi that had strayed outside the reserve.
When Vinayagan turned back to chase, Venkatesh had unfortunately missed balance and fell down on the ground. The elephant then trampled him and he sustained severe injuries.
Subsequently, elephant Vinayagan was also captured and translocated a week ago from Thadagam to Mudumalai.