Belur Makhna incident: Ajeesh's family refuses Rs 15 lakh financial assistance from Karnataka govt

WAYANAD: The family of Ajeesh, a native of Padamala who was trampled to death by rogue elephant Belur Makhna, has refused the Rs 15 lakh compensation announced by the Karnataka government. The decision comes after BJP created a ruckus in the Karnataka assembly highlighting the compensation. The family of Ajeesh deplored the conduct of the BJP and termed it inhumane.

Ajeesh was trampled to death by Belur Makhna on February 10th. The Karnataka government decided to allow huge compensation for Ajeesh’s family as the elephant had a radio collar fitted by the Karnataka government.

The financial assistance was announced after Rahul Gandhi visited Ajeesh's family and spoke to the Karnataka Chief Minister over the phone, beseeching him to allow compensation.

Normally, the Karnataka government pay Rs 15 lakh as compensation to the kin of elephant attack victims. Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Bheemanna Khandre said that CM Siddaramaiah allowed the compensation after considering Ajeesh as a Karnataka citizen.

However, the Karnataka assembly witnessed tumultuous scenes after BJP confronted the huge financial assistance given to Ajeesh's kin amidst the financial strangling. The family said that they are grateful to Rahul Gandhi and the Karnataka government, but they are refusing the money due to the controversy.