Elderly farmer killed in wild elephant attack in Kuppam

A 64-year-old farmer was trampled to death by a herd of wild elephants at Kurmanipalle village in Kuppam mandal, early on Thursday.

The farmer, identified as Kittappa, had spent the night in his fields on vigil to guard the standing ragi crop from wild boars. He was about to leave his thatched hut at dawn when a herd of wild elephants entered the field. The animals surrounded the hut and pulled it down. They then trampled Kittappa to death before retreating into the forests.

Forest and police officials reached the spot soon and conducted an inspection. The body was later shifted to Kuppam Government Hospital for autopsy.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh to the victim’s family. He also instructed Forest authorities to strengthen measures to prevent recurring human-animal conflicts in the region.