ELEPHANT HERD CREATES RUCKUS;

Two herds of elephants created ruckus around Kushalnagar yesterday causing panic and injury to many.

Residents of Hebbale woke to the horrifying trumpeting by a herd, which began making way through their paddy fields.

People in large number dared to gather around the herd, which took them off gear. Many were injured in run for life as the herd dashed towards the crow. Forest officials were called to the spot. Range forest officer Chinnappa and staff arrived with guns and crackers. The herd played hide and seek and did not run into forest. As people including men, women and children were boldly moving behind the herd, some miscreants threw stones against it. Enraged elephants turned around and started chsing the crowd. A journalist was nearly trampled by a tusker, which returned after forest department opened 20 rounds of gunshot into air.

Though the herd entered forest after hours of fighting, it returned to the small town Hebbale again in the afternoon. However, forst department and public succeeded in chasing them away by evening.

The residents now fear the return of the herd which might pose life risk along with crop loss.

Meanwhile, two elephants made their way almost at the same time near Harangi reservoir colony. People complained that they destroyed their fence and crops.

They have appealed to the forest department to protect them from the fear of elephants.

Picture: Elephant Herd

SHIVAJI CLUB CLINCHES NESTLE CUP;

Shivaji club of Napoklu clinched the Nestle hockey cup – 2005 at Gonicoppal yesterday.

Shivaji team beat Ammathi sports team in a fiercely fought battle by 3 – 2 and emerged victorious in the finals of the three day cup. Thousands of sprts lovers watched the final match anxiously as both the teams exhibited equal skill, strength and grit.

Shivaji team has a credit of winning four times the Nestle Tittle in Nesltle’s 12 year sports event. Maj General S.Cariappa distributed the trophy. Managing director of Skanda Coffee, Pratap Chittiappa and Coorg Hockey Association secretary K.P.Subramani were honoured on the occasion for their contribution in the hockey field.

Vice president of the Karnataka Hochey Association Subash Muthanna, former president Kumar Appachu, CHA president Mohan Aiyappa were present.

Picture: Winners of Nestle Cup