Image credit : Illustrative Image

Two persons were trampled to death by elephants in different incidents in the district and forest officials have cautioned people against venturing into the woods at night.

According to forest sources, the deceased was identified as Masaniammal, 80 from the tribal village of Alangatti.

On Tuesday around 6:30pm, she went into the Periyanaickenpalayam forest range to collect firewood when he was attacked by an elephant and died instantaneously.

Forest staff recovered the body and sent it to Mettupalayam Government Hospital for post mortem.

At Sethumadai village near Pollachi, one Velusamy, 72, was killed by elephants at his farm on Monday night. His body was sent to Vettaikaran Pudur Government Hospital for post mortem. The forest department officials gave a cheque of Rs 25,000 to his family members and the rest of the compensation of Rs 3.75 lakh would be given later.

A forest official told The Covai Post that they had asked people living near forest areas not to venture out of their house during night time. . He said people had been told that if case they spotted elephants near their area, they had to inform the department through the toll free number 1800 4254 5456 and not attempt to drive the elephants away. This, he said, would be done by department staff.