Wild elephant claims second victim in 15 days in Vizianagaram

The victim was identified as R. Lakshmu Naidu. This is the second such incident reported in Komarada mandal in 15 days. A few days ago, the same elephant had attacked a 25-year-old farmer, Yerra Narayana, and trampled him to death near Gumpa in the district.

The police said Lakshmu Naidu along with his cousin Sanyasi Naidu was working in the field when the elephant attacked Naidu, trampling him to death. Sanyasi was unable to save his cousin but managed to escape.

Farmers in parts of Komarada mandal have been facing sleepless nights as wild elephants have wreaked havoc in the region by destroying the standing crops. According to the locals, a male elephant that strayed away from its herd has been attacking the farmers. In Kurupam constituency of Vizianagaram, the elephants have killed six persons in the past two years.

Expressing displeasure over the loss of crops and lives due the jumbo menace, the locals on Friday staged a protest in Komarada demanding the officials shift the elephants to the forest area. They also demanded the government announce a compensation of at least Rs. 20 lakh to the family of the victims.