A fifty-two-year old panchayat employee was trampled to death by an elephant herd near Cumbum on Sunday while a 50-year-old woman was injured in the incident. She has been admitted to the Government Hospital in Theni.
N Surulimuthu, a panchayat employee from Kullappakavundanpatti near Cumbum, owned land near the sub-station at Suruli where he cultivated groundnut. In order to protect the yield of his land from animals like pigs, deer, wild buffaloes, fox and bears, he had put up a thatched shed on his land where he stayed on Saturday night.
Similarly, A Indhurani (50), a noon-meal employee who owned the adjoining piece of land, also stayed at a thatched shed on her land on Saturday night.
Around 2 am on Sunday, a herd of more than 10 elephants entered the land of Surulimuthu. After destroying the shed, the elephants reportedly trampled the sleeping Surulimuthu who died on the spot.
Another herd of elephants mauled Indhurani, who fell unconscious. On hearing their alarm, Kotteeswaran, a farmer who also stayed there that night, escaped and informed the villagers, who rushed to the spot and chased away the elephants.
A case was registered after village administrative officer Subbulakshmi lodged a complaint with Cuddalore South Police.
Surulimuthu’s body was taken to the government hospital at Cumbum for post mortem and Indhurani was given first aid there and was later admitted to the Government Hospital, Theni, for further treatment.