Nearly 1,500 shops and business establishments downed their shutters in and around Gudalur, even as nearly 300 persons went on a one-day fast, demanding the release of the nine persons who were arrested following the killing of a youth by an elephant five days ago.

The agitators were also demanding a permanent solution to the frequent human-animal conflict, particularly involving elephants, which have been straying into human habitats and killing people the past few years. The town is situated close to Asia’s largest elephant corridor.

28-year-old Aneesh was trampled to death by an elephant in front of his house near Cherankode in Gudalur on January 14. Police resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse the villagers, including DMK MLA Dravidamani, who were preventing the cops from taking Aneesh’s body away.

About 300 persons from all political parties, except the AIADMK, under the leadership of Dravidamani, are observing a one-day fast seeking to put an end to the frequent human-animal conflict in the region.