Locals initially blocked the ambulance from transporting the bodies. The protesters relented only after police intervention and discussions with the sub-collector.
Published Feb 24, 2025 | 11:47 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 24, 2025 | 6:29 PM
Locals protesting over the death of a couple following wild elephant attack in Aralam farm. (Supplied)
Synopsis: A tribal couple was killed in a wild elephant attack late on 23 February. In response, the UDF and BJP declared a hartal in Aralam Gram Panchayat. Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran is set to visit Aralam and an all-party meeting has been scheduled.
Massive protests erupted in Aralam farm in the Kannur district of Kerala after a tribal couple was killed in a wild elephant attack late on Sunday, 23 February, at the 13th block.
In response, the UDF and BJP declared a hartal in Aralam Gram Panchayat on Monday, which is now underway. Kerala Forest Minister AK Saseendran is set to visit Aralam and an all-party meeting is scheduled for 3 pm on Monday.
A wild elephant attack claimed the lives of a tribal couple, identified as Velli and his wife Leela, who were residents of the farm’s 13th block.
The incident occurred at Karikkanmukku while the couple was gathering cashew nuts. Forest department officials stated that their bodies were moved to the nearby Government Taluk Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Locals initially blocked the ambulance from transporting the bodies. The protesters relented only after police intervention and discussions with the sub-collector.
Of late, Kerala, especially the regions like Wayanad where human settlements are adjacent to forests, has been witnessing an increased number of deaths due to human-wildlife conflicts.
On Monday, Saseendran acknowledged the increased number of wild animal attacks and said necessary measures would be undertaken by the state government to prevent such incidents.
Protesters said that the Aralam farm had witnessed over 11 deaths due to elephant attacks in the past six years. They said that even though the construction of a wall near the forest border had started two years ago, it remains unfinished.
The minister said that the first phase of the project is already complete and added that he would review if there were any delays in the construction.
Since January this year, 18 lives have been lost in Kerala due to wild elephant attacks. According to government data, wild animal attacks have caused 1,513 deaths in the state in the last 15 years.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
