Dandeli forest officer attacked by tourists dies

KARWAR: Assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Madan H Nayak, 55, who was attacked by a group of tourists on Monday, succumbed to injuries at the SDM Medical College Hospital in Dharwad early on Wednesday. Nayak had objected when he saw some tourists feeding crocodiles in Dandeli, 180 km from Karwar.

Nayak had been attacked on Monday evening by a group of 15 people.

He saw the group near the Kali river side throwing meat to attract crocodiles during his visit to Dandelappa temple. Nayak had gone with his wife and son to the temple and on the way back he saw the group violating the Wildlife Act. (Which bans feeding of wildlife).

Subsequently, Nayak told the group members not to throw meat in the river as the crocodiles would be blood-hungry. The tourists, said to in an inebriated condition did not listen to the ACF and a heated argument followed. Sensing trouble Nayak, who was with his family members decided to retreat and thought of returning with his staff. Even as he was starting back his 16-year-old son Shishir took out his camera and tried to take photos of the group members and that spelt trouble. The group attacked both Shishir and Nayak. The ACF was hit by a stone on his head.

The 55-year-old Nayak, who had undergone heart bypass surgery two years ago collapsed on the spot. He was given first aid in Dandeli and shifted to SDM medical college in Dharwad, 120 km from there where he died on Wednesday at 3 am. But Nayak succumbed to injuries today.

Bhatkallys News Service