Farm owner, elephant found dead near solar fence

A 74-year-old man and an elephant were today found dead near a solar powered electric fence erected around a banana farm at Lingapuram in the district, police said.
The power to the fence was reportedly switched on using a switch operated by a rope, only when elephants came near the farm.
As Ramaiah, the farm-owner, noticed the elephant, he pulled the rope, which was wet due to rains for the last couple of days and it came into contact with the 'live' fence and he was electrocuted, police said.
The elephant, which attempted to enter the farm, also was electrocuted.

Police along with senior officials of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and Forest department are investigating the matter.