No electric fencing: Ryots warned

Erode Collector C Kathivaran directed farmers to remove the electric fences, failing which severe criminal action would be taken against them.

In a release, the Collector said he had learnt that some farmers were erecting high-voltage electric fences around their lands to ward off animals, especially elephants, and protect the crops. However, in recent days, elephants were electrocuted when they came into contact with the electric fence put up illegally, he added.

Similar incidents of wild animals falling victims to electric fences have been reported in the neighbouring districts of Coimbatore and the Nilgiris.