THRISSUR/KOZHIKODE : Wild animal attacks continued to haunt the forest fringes of Kerala with a tribal woman trampled by an elephant in Thrissur and an elderly man mauled to death by a gaur in Kozhikode on Tuesday, taking the toll in man-animal conflicts in the state to 14 in the first 65 days of the year.
In the first incident, Valsa, 68, had gone inside the forest with her husband Raju, who is the tribal head of Vachumaram tribal settlement in Athirapilly panchayat. “We went to collect various forest resources around 9 in the morning. We were about to return when a wild elephant suddenly attacked us as we were standing near the Kollathirumedu forest station. We tried to run away, but it knocked down Valsa with its trunk and then trampled her in front of my eyes... I remained helpless... Couldn’t do anything... Ran to the nearest colony for help,” said Raju. In Kozhikode, 70-year-old Palatt Abraham alias Avarachan was found lying injured after being mauled by a wild gaur in his farmland, five km away from the Kakkayam dam site on Monday afternoon. He was rushed to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital but his life could not be saved.
Coming a day after an elderly woman was trampled to death by a wild elephant at Kanjiraveli on the Ernakulam - Idukki border, the incidents sparked protests by local residents and Congress leaders. In Kakkayam, Congress workers blocked the ambulance carrying Abraham’s body demanding steps to save the people from wild animals. The protesters demanded that the wild gaurs spreading terror in Kakkayam and Koorachundu of Kozhikode district should be shot dead. The LDF and the UDF have given a call to observe hartal in the area on Wednesday.
In Chalakudy, Congress workers held a protest when the body of Valsa was brought to the taluk hospital. They demanded adequate compensation to the relatives of the victim and protection for tribal people who venture into the forest to collect forest resources.
The UDF will observe a black day in Athirappilly on Wednesday shutting down shops and establishments.
Order to tranquilise gaur
Chief Wildlife Warden D Jayaprasad issued an order to tranquilise the gaur that killed Abraham in Kakkayam.
‘Dept can take shoot call’
Forest Minister A K Saseendran said he has directed department officials to give permission to shoot the wild animals, if needed, considering the demand of local residents.
Oppn flays state govt
Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said the government has left the people living on forest fringes at mercy of wild animals.