Nilgiris ,August 24
Political parties, traders and transport operators have called for a two-day general strike across the Gudalur Assembly constituency on August 27 and 28, demanding effective Forest Department measures to prevent wild animal attacks.
The strike follows the deaths of two men in suspected tiger attacks at Lauriston in O-Valley Town Panchayat, which have caused widespread fear among residents.
Representatives of the BJP, Congress, VCK, CPI, CPM, NTK, DMDK and SDPI decided to organise the shutdown during a meeting at the DMK MLA’s office in Gudalur on Sunday. They sought the cooperation of traders, plantation workers, autorickshaw drivers and taxi operators.
The meeting also demanded the release of VCK and DYFI functionaries arrested following the August 21 protest over the death of K. Ravikumar, the second victim.
Grocery shops are expected to remain closed, while autorickshaws and call taxis will stay off the roads. Resorts and cottages in the tourist destination of Masinagudi are also likely to suspend operations.
The Gudalur Viyabarikal Sangam said estate workers would participate in the strike and refrain from sending their children to school on both days. Residents have reportedly been spending sleepless nights because of the continuing threat from wild animals.
DMK Gudalur town secretary S. Ilanchezhian alleged that the second death could have been prevented if the Forest Department had captured the tiger after the first fatal attack on August 9. He demanded immediate action to eliminate the animal, citing the danger to residential areas.
Revenue officials are yet to hold talks with political parties and traders’ associations.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department has increased the number of cages from six to eight and deployed 60 camera traps. Officials said teams had found pugmarks and scat indicating the tiger’s presence, although the animal has not yet been sighted directly.
