Monday, 17 March 2025: A wrap of news and developments in Kerala— Forest department has intesnified the efforts to capture the tiger, and CM Pinarayi Vijayan will address drug issues at a high-level meeting on 24 March.
Published Mar 17, 2025 | 11:39 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 17, 2025 | 11:39 AM
Weak and injured tiger spotted. (Screengrab)
Synopsis: In Moday’s wrap of news and developments in Kerala—the Forest Dept is working to capture a weak, injured tiger causing panic. A 60-year-old man drowned in a flooded drain, and a man died from a smartphone explosion during a lightning strike. TR Raghunathan became CPI(M) Kottayam district secretary. CM Pinarayi Vijayan to address drug issues in Kerala at a high-level meeting on 24 March.
On Monday, 17 March, the Kerala Forest Department resumed efforts to capture a weak and injured tiger that had been roaming granby, near Vandiperiyar, for over five days, causing panic.
A prohibitory order was enforced in Ward 15, and an RRT was deployed for tranquillisation after the tiger attacked two cattle.
Earlier, a cage was set near the government LP School, but it failed to trap the animal, prompting officials to shift focus to sedation. Tracking has been challenging due to heavy mist, despite assistance from Tamil Nadu officials using drones and pug mark tracking.
Locals recorded a video of the tiger attacking a dog, further escalating fear. Minister AK Saseendran assured that efforts are underway to ensure both human safety and wildlife protection.
The body of a 60-year-old man who went missing after falling into a flooded drain during heavy rains was found on Monday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Kalathinpoyil Sasi, a native of Kovoor.
Sasi had fallen into the drain near Manaleri Thazham on Kovoor MLA Road around 8:30 pm on Sunday, 16 March, while waiting at a bus stop with a friend.
The drain, swollen with floodwaters from Kovoor, Chevayoor, Chevarambalam, and Medical College areas, overflowed due to incessant rain.
Locals and rescue teams, including the fire brigade and volunteers, launched a search operation immediately after the incident.
However, the search, which extended for about two kilometres, was hampered by the heavy downpour and had to be suspended late at night.
On Monday morning, residents spotted Sasi’s body in a drain about a kilometre from the accident site and alerted authorities.
The fire force recovered the body, which had reportedly floated for about 300 meters, and shifted it to the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital for further procedures.
A tragic incident occurred in Edathua on Sunday when a 29-year-old man lost his life after his smartphone exploded due to a lightning strike.
The victim, identified as Akhil P. Srinivasan, was playing cricket with his friends around 3.30 pm when he received a phone call.
As he answered, lightning struck, causing the device to explode. He sustained critical burns on his ear, head, and chest.
Despite being rushed to Alappuzha Medical College Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
Akhil, who worked as a welder, was also known for his involvement in building boats. His friend Sharon, who was present at the scene, suffered minor injuries in the incident.
TR Raghunathan was elected CPM Kottayam district secretary following A.V. Russel’s demise. A former SFI leader at Baselius College, he has held key roles, including DYFI district president, Pallom Block Panchayat president, and LDF district convener.
Currently, he chairs the Kottayam Cooperative Urban Bank and leads various trade unions. He hails from Ayarkunnam.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called a high-level meeting on 24 March to address drug distribution and consumption in Kerala.
Ministers, top police, and excise officials will review ongoing anti-drug measures and future plans.
The meeting follows the seizure of ganja from Kochi Kalamassery Government Polytechnic College hostel. Police arrested Anuraj, a third-year student from Kollam, bringing the total arrests to six. Authorities will also probe the financial transactions of the accused.
The governor has sought a report from the DGP on the rising drug menace.
Emphasizing the need to intensify efforts against the drug mafia, CM Pinarayi Vijayan called upon the newly recruited Sub Inspectors to play a pivotal role in this mission.
He made this statement while receiving the salute at the passing out parade of the 31B batch, comprising 118 Sub-Inspector trainees, at the Kerala Police Academy in Ramavarmapuram, Thrissur, on Sunday.
