NewsKarnataka-Kushalnagar

Kushalnagar : Mahouts of the Dubare Elephant camp  are staging  a protest against the ‘false’ complaints  registered against them by a few tourists from  Mangalore. It may be recalled here that the  tourists had registered case  against a few personnel accusing them of assault and misbehaviour.

The Mahouts have deserted  their elephants and the forest area and are staging a novel protest demanding withdrawal of cases against them. The protest  has entered the second day and the same has affected tourists from various places who visit the camp.

RK Chandru, President of the Taluk Tribal Farmers Association  said the  mahouts as well as the forest staff on duty at the camp  have always ensured safety of tourists. But, a group of tourists from Mangalore who had arrived recently tried to  swim  in the river  unaware of its depth, he said adding when the forest guard Subrahmanya warned them, they mistook him and abused him. He also charged the tourists of misbehaving with  some Girijan girls who were washing clothes in the river. The tourists were then sent back, Agitated over this, they have lodged a false complaint in Pandeshwar police station, he said.

BA Gangadhar, Vice President of Basavanahalli Lamps Society stressed the need to prevent such untoward incidents.

The mahouts have said they will not budge until the false complaint was withdrawn.