TN’s Gudalur shuts down for 48 hours as hunt for tiger intensifies

Nilgiris, Aug 27 (IANS) A 48-hour shutdown began in Tamil Nadu’s Gudalur on Thursday, with nearly 10,000 shops remaining closed to demand the immediate capture of a tiger suspected of killing two people in the O’Valley-Lauriston area of the Nilgiris district.

The victims, identified as Balakrishnan and Ravichandran, were mauled to death in separate attacks, triggering widespread fear and anger among residents.

The shutdown will continue on Friday as traders, political parties and local organisations step up pressure on the authorities.

Acting on the instructions of Tamil Nadu Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra, more than 100 forest personnel, led by Gudalur District Forest Officer Devaraj, have been deployed to capture the tiger. Three thermal-imaging drones, 130 automatic cameras and 12 cages are being used in the operation. The 12th cage, brought from Coimbatore, was also installed as the search entered its sixth day.

Officials examined footage from all 130 cameras, but none had recorded the animal’s movement. Persistent rain, mist and poor visibility have further hampered surveillance, allowing the elusive tiger to evade the search teams.

Additional forest personnel have been brought in from Coimbatore and other divisions. More than 10 senior officials, led by a forest range officer from Theni, have also reached O’Valley to assist the operation.

Teams are conducting round-the-clock patrols and using thermal drones to scan plantations and forest fringes.

The Forest Department has restricted public movement in localities identified as possible tiger movement zones.

Residents of Deivamalai, Mettur, Kurinji Nagar, Mullai Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and Valappu have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid venturing out alone.

Meanwhile, an all-party consultative meeting attended by representatives of traders’ bodies and social organisations was held in Kotagiri to discuss the growing human-wildlife conflict. The meeting was chaired by CPI(M) taluk secretary Manikandan.

The meeting also adopted resolutions demanding that compensation for deaths caused by wild animals be increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh and that a government job be provided to one member of each victim’s family.

–IANS

aal/dpb