Villagers Cage Forest Staff Amid Tiger Turmoil

In a dramatic turn of events, villagers in Chamarajanagar district reportedly took forest officials hostage, placing them in a cage meant for a tiger. The incident followed the failure of efforts to capture the big cat that had been causing alarm in Bommalapur village.

According to the forest department, the tiger ventured into the area from nearby forests around a month ago. Despite the forest officials' attempts to capture it using bait, the animal eluded them, leading to increasing agitation among the villagers.

Frustrated by what they perceived as inaction, villagers resorted to drastic measures, allegedly detaining the officials in protest. The area previously witnessed the death of a tigress and her cubs earlier in June, adding to local tensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)