A 53-year-old tea estate worker from Jharkhand was mauled to death by a tiger in nearby Devarsolai, forest department officials said.

Mudhumalai forest officials said the worker did not return the previous night, after which his relatives and co-workers launched a search for him. They found his decapitated body early Saturday morning. 

Pug marks in a slushy area at the site and teeth marks on Magu's neck indicated that he was attacked by a tiger, an official said.

Agitated locals blamed forest officials for not finding a permanent solution to the tiger problem in the area, saying a woman was mauled to death by a tiger some six months ago in the same area. The tiger was later shot dead.

Villagers and leaders of all political parties will hold a meeting later to discuss the future course of action in this regard.