Estate guard killed in wild bear attack

According to Forest Department officials, Subramani from Iyerpadi Estate in Valparai, who was working as a night security in the house of an estate official, was returning home by walk when a wild bear mauled him to death.

As he did not return home for a long while, his wife Devaki went in search and found him dead in the tea estate. On receiving information, the Forest Department staff rushed to the spot.

By then, a large number of estate workers gathered at the spot and protested, refusing to allow the police from taking the body to Valparai GH for post mortem examination. They complained of frequent bear intrusions and pointed out that an estate worker survived injuries in attack two months ago. Seeking a permanent solution for bear menace, the workers also wanted the estate management to arrange vehicles to pick up and drop workers.

After Revenue officials promised to consider their demands, they allowed to take the body. Forest officials distributed an initial compensation of Rs 50,000.