KOZHIKODE: Governor Arif Mohammed Khan visited the family members of the wildlife attack victims in Wayanad on Monday and assured them to take up the issue with the state and Central governments. He urged people from the farming community not to resort to violence as it will not help find a solution to the issue.
The governor also met the representatives of Christian religious groups and various farming communities in the district, after they expressed their anguish over the move by the Wayanad police to arrest the farmers on charges of criminal offence for protesting against repeated wildlife attacks.
He further said, “I have already contacted some of the ministers in the state to discuss the issue. I will do everything in my capacity to put pressure on both governments to find a solution to the issue.”
The governor, who has been camping in the district for the past two days, visited the house of Paul, a resident of Vellachal who was killed in an elephant attack, and the house of Prajeesh, of Vakery, who was killed by a tiger.
On Tuesday, the governor will be visiting the house of the tribal boy who was partially paralysed after being attacked by an elephant. Bishop Jose Porunnedam of the Mananthavady diocese lashed out against the police for arresting the farmers who protested against wildlife attacks.
“The police must revoke its decision to arrest the farmers, as the people of Wayanad are already distressed after repeated incidents of death due to wildlife attacks. The authorities have failed to take a reasonable step to solve such a sensitive issue,” he said.
Meeting of three states planned
Following the intervention of Rahul Gandhi, MP, Karnataka government has taken the initiative to convene a joint meeting of the three states to tackle the wildlife issue.
K’taka to give Rs 15 lakh to Ajeesh’s family
The Karnataka government has announced a financial assistance of I15 lakh to the family of Ajeesh, the farmer who was killed by rogue elephant Belur Makhna on February 10. Karnataka Forest Minister Ishwar Khandre said the decision was taken on the direction of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The aid was announced as Belur Makhna had been captured and fitted with a radio collar by the Karnataka forest department.