Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Dec 5: The body of a man was found in a coffee estate for which he was working as security guard. The body was recovered on Monday December 4 at Coovercolly, Somwarpet taluk. Although the locals feel that he was attacked by a leopard as a few cattle had recently been killed at Hirikara village near here, forest department officials deny such a possibility.

The deceased, identified as Thimmappa (67), used to stay alone in a shed inside Nagaroor Coffee Estate. This estate is owned by a planter named Santhosh. Thimmappa's death came into the open on Monday morning when workers reported for duty as usual. The villagers blocked the Somwarpet-Madikeri road, demanding disbursement of suitable compensation to the family of the deceased.

Deputy conservator of forests, Surya Sen, who visited the spot, declared compensation of five lac rupees to the family on humanitarian grounds. He however insisted that there are no apparent signs of leopard attack as no leopard was sighted in the vicinity here in the past and there were no pug marks on the spot. He felt that dogs might have eaten the palm of the deceased and face after he was killed. Villagers however feel that the culprit was a leopard as the body of the guard was found to have been dragged out of his shed.

The police who visited the spot said they will investigate the case from different angles. Autopsy was conducted at the government hospital, Somwarpet.