Doctors have managed to save the left arm of Sundara Malekudiya (40), a farm worker belonging to a tribal community, who was attacked with a weed-clearing machine allegedly by Gopala Gowda in Belthangady taluk on Sunday. However, they could not save four fingers on his right hand.
The incident occurred when Mr. Sundara tried to prevent Gowda from clearing the jungle in the former’s land in Kataje village. Mr. Sundara’s left arm was almost severed, while four fingers were chopped off.
The police have arrested Gowda’s wife, Pushpalatha, who reportedly accompanied him during the attack. Gowda and his sister, Damayanthi, are at large.
Rajeshwari Devi, Medical Superintendent of Government Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru, where Mr. Sundara is undergoing treatment, said the victim was responding well, but doctors could not fix his fingers as they were not brought to the hospital. Surgery to restore his left arm was successful, she said.
Rahul Kumar, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bantwal, told The Hindu that Pushpalatha has been remanded in judicial custody.
Shekhar, convener of Belthangady Taluk Adivasi Hakkugala Samanvaya Samiti, said Mr. Sundara had been staying in the property for long and even the Forest Department had demarcated the land as the one not belonging to it. However, Gowda had been claiming rights over the land and ventured to clear the jungle with the machine. He attacked Mr. Sundara with the machine after the latter protested the trespass. CPI(M) district secretary Vasanth Achari demanded immediate arrest of the accused. If action is not taken, a massive protest would be organised in Belthangady on July 31, he said.
The Dalita Hakkugala Samiti too sought an end to atrocities by landlords.
