Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jul 26: The electrocution of a cow at B C Road main circle on Friday July 25 shook the municipality here from its slumber. The municipal officials, who plunged into action at once, cleared the circle of garbage that had accumulated into a small hill at this spot since the last several years.

Reports on this unsightly garbage heap had appeared in several publications and television channels, but no action whatsoever had been taken to clear it. The cow which approached the garbage heap in search of greens and instantly lost its life after electric shocks flowed through its body did achieve where the publications and TV channels had failed.

After public outrage gained momentum relating to this incident within hours, the municipal chief officer instructed the drivers of garbage trucks not to deposit garbage there. He also arranged for shifting of the garbage to Mangalore.

Mescom officials said that electricity started flowing through the pole standing at the circle after jumper of the high tension line got severed. It is learnt that another cow, which was following the ill-fated cow, moved away swifly after feeling vibrations of electricity flow.

Chief officer of the municipality, Mattadi, and officials of Mescom arrived at the spot after they came to know of the cow's death, and arranged to repair the electric line. Junior engineer of the municipality, Prabhadevi, health officer, Rajashekhar, and several municipal councillors came on the spot and held discussions.

In the meanwhile, a person named Purushottam from Ganadapadpu in B C Road has filed a complaint about the death of the cow in the town police station. Mescom sources said the loser of the cattle is eligible for compensation as per rules, and assessment made by the food as well as veterinarian of the animal husbandry department will be relied when arriving at the compensation amount. Member of Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, M Tungappa Bangera, and Bantwal block Congress president, Mayilappa Salian, visited the spot and expressed dismay at the death of the cow. Additional policemen had been deployed at the spot to monitor law and order situation.