Two tuskers, including a wild elephant popularly known as Baahubali, entered Mettupalayam-Ooty road triggering panic among the people. The jumbos also brought vehicular movement to a halt.
According to a report on The New Indian Express, the elephants entered the road from Jakanari reserve forest. The drivers on seeing this reportedly stopped the vehicles to give way for the elephant. However, the elephants came near a TNSTC bus and checked for food through the windows causing fear among the commuters. This also resulted in the vehicles lining up for one km.
Later, the tuskers moved towards a commercial complex and cloth store. However, they did not damage any goods or vehicles.
The Forest Department officials then raised a loud noise which forced the tusker back into Nellithurai reserve forest. Baahubali is already known for raiding crops in and around Mettupalayam. However, the visit to the residential area scared the people of Ooty.
Baahubali’s visit has also come on the day of the death of a man who was attacked by rogue tusker ‘Arikomban’.
Paulraj, a Cumbum native, sustained injuries after 'Arikomban' that was creating a ruckus in Cumbum attacked him while he was driving his two-wheeler in the streets raided by it.
On Saturday, Arikomban raided the residential areas of Cumbum when the incident took place. Following this, Paulraj was taken to Theni Medical College Hospital for treatment. However, Paulraj passed away without responding to the treatment on Tuesday.
The people of Cumbum town carried out protests after the death of Paulraj in Government Theni Medical College Hospital.
Later, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin condoled the death of Paulraj and ordered Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the family members from CM's Relief Fund. TN forest department also formed a five-member tribal team to track 'Arikomban' since the officials have not tracked the tusker yet.