TN tiger attack case: Political parties, traders give two-day strike call in Gudalur

Nilgiris, Aug 24 (AHN) Political parties, traders and transport operators have called for a two-day general strike in Tamil Nadu's Gudalur Assembly constituency on August 27 and 28, demanding that the Forest Department take measures to prevent wild animal attacks.

The call follows the deaths of two men in suspected tiger attacks at Lauriston in O-Valley Town Panchayat, alarming residents.

Representatives of the BJP, Congress, VCK, CPI, CPI(M), NTK, DMDK and SDPI decided to organise the shutdown at a meeting held at the DMK MLA’s office in Gudalur on Sunday. They sought the support of traders, auto-rickshaw and taxi operators and plantation workers. The meeting also adopted a resolution seeking the release of VCK and DYFI functionaries arrested following a protest on August 21 over the death of K. Ravikumar, the second victim of the tiger attacks.

Traders have announced that grocery shops will remain closed during the strike, while auto-rickshaws and taxis are expected to stay off the roads. Resorts and cottages in Masinagudi, the Nilgiris’ major tourist centre, are also likely to suspend operations.

The Gudalur Viyabarikal Sangam said estate workers would join the protest and have decided not to send their children to school on either day. It said the shutdown was intended to demonstrate public unity and press the authorities to prevent further deaths as residents continued to live in fear.

DMK Gudalur town secretary S. Ilanchezhian alleged that the Forest Department failed to place traps and capture the tiger soon after the first fatal attack on August 9. Timely action could have prevented Ravikumar’s death, he said, demanding that the animal be eliminated because the attacks occurred close to residential areas.

Seven people were arrested after bottles were allegedly thrown during the August 21 protest, injuring two police personnel. Political representatives claimed that the police had detained public functionaries instead of identifying those directly involved.

Revenue officials have yet to hold discussions with the parties and traders’ associations. Gudalur Revenue Divisional Officer S.K. Gunasekaran said talks would be initiated after permission was obtained from Nilgiris Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Taneeru.

Meanwhile, the Forest Department increased the number of cages from six to eight and camera traps to 60 on Sunday. District Forest Officer P. Devaraj said teams had found pugmarks and scat indicating the tiger’s presence, although the animal had not yet been sighted directly.