Kerala: Uproar in Wayanad as wild elephant tramples man to death

| Updated: 10 February, 2024 7:54 pm IST

NEW DELHI: Wayanad is in turmoil following a tragic incident where a wild elephant fatally trampled a 42-year-old resident. The shocking event occurred when a radio-collared elephant broke through a gate and attacked Aji in Payyampalli near Mananthavady. The incident has highlighted serious shortcomings on the part of forest officials who failed to alert residents about the elephant’s entry from Karnataka into the Kerala forest region.

The elephant had been under observation by forest rangers for the past three days. In response to the incident, the Wayanad forest department has issued an order to tranquilise the elephant and relocate it to the Karnataka forest range.

FLASH: A radio-collared wild elephant which was on the run trampled a man to death in front of a home at Padamala near Mananthavady early today. The deceased has been identified as Panachiyil Aji.

Aji ran to the compound of a house for safety after the elephant charged at him.… pic.twitter.com/zfBAm427zw

— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) February 10, 2024

Following hours of protest, Aji’s body was transferred to the Mananthavady government hospital. The elephant, previously captured by the Karnataka Forest Department and released with a radio collar, entered the Kerala forest area last week.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in four wards of the Mananthavady Municipality due to public unrest.

Forest Minister AK Saseendran has expressed grave concern over the incident and initiated an inquiry. He stated that detailed information about the elephant’s movements from Karnataka was unavailable, and steps would be taken in coordination with the Karnataka Forest Department.

“No detailed information is available about the elephant that came from Karnataka Forest. The state did not hand over the antenna and receiver to track the elephant. The animal was tracked using Radio Caller ID. We will bring it to the attention of the Chief Minister and decide what to do with his help. Necessary steps will be taken in association with the Karnataka Forest department,” Saseendran told The New Indian.

Meanwhile, protesters have voiced anger against the Divisional Forest Officer, district collector, and Mananthavady MLA, demanding accountability for the failure to protect residents from such incidents.

Sebastian Mathew, a farmer in Mananthavady, emphasised the urgent need for a permanent solution to the recurring crisis, citing numerous incidents of wild animals attacking people in the fringe areas of Wayanad’s forests over the past six months.

“We cannot tolerate this situation going forward. We have been demanding a permanent solution for the crisis for decades. The government machinery, especially the forest department has failed in protecting the lives of the people,” Mathew said.