Image credit : Illustrative image

Coimbatore : As the Government prepares for the annual rejuvenation camp for temple elephants from across Tamil Nadu, villagers in and around Thekkampatti on Wednesday hoisted black flag atop their houses to protest against the camp.

The Federation of Farmers of 23 villages in and around Thekkampatti, near Mettupalayam about 40 km from here, claimed that wild elephants were straying into nearby villages due to the presence of large number of elephants in the camp.

This had led to destruction of full grown crops and also attacks on human and property, it said.

The Government and the HR and CE department have planned to organise the 48-day camp on December 14, for around 32 elephants from various temples in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Villagers hoisted black flags atop their house and also decided to lay siege of the venue at the inaugural, police said,