Published Jan 25, 2025 | 1:06 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 25, 2025 | 1:06 PM
Tiger attack victim Radha. (Supplied)
The last rites of Radha, the 45-year-old victim of the tiger attack in Pancharkolly, Wayanad, were conducted by the family members on Saturday, 25 January. She has been cremated at the community crematorium near her residence.
Her body was kept at the Mananthavady Government Medical College morgue, was handed over to relatives in the morning, and the funeral ceremonies commenced at 10:30 AM.
Radha, wife of Achappan from Tharatt Unnathi, Pilakkavu, was tragically killed by a tiger near Tharatt Unnathi in the Thalapuzha Forest Station area of the Begur Forest Range on Friday.
Her partially eaten body was discovered by the Thunder Bolt team of the Kerala Police around 11:15 am on Friday, approximately 100 meters from human habitation.
According to the Chief Conservator of Forests, Northern Circle, Kannur, KS Deepa, the victim was attacked and dragged into the forest by the tiger, as evidenced by pug marks, blood stains, and the location of her footwear. The tiger was later spotted near the site by a forest watcher after the body was removed.
Meanwhile, locals protested at Pancharakolly, alleging that the forest department has yet to devise a concrete plan to capture the tiger.
During the heated exchange, protesters demanded clarity on why the forest department had not acted decisively to capture or eliminate the tiger responsible.
“Why are you not creating awareness or coordinating with the panchayat and municipality? If you cannot kill the tiger, then shoot us instead,” the protesters shouted, expressing their frustration.
A remark by a forest official, stating, “The tiger was not standing in front of us,” further fueled the dispute, with locals alleging a lack of accountability and urgency from the department.
They also criticized the absence of the chief veterinary surgeon, Dr Arun Zakaria, questioning why he had not reached the scene to oversee operations.
The incident has caused significant unrest in the densely populated region, where residents depend heavily on agriculture and cattle rearing.
Speaking to reporters, Forest Minister AK Saseendran said he would consider visiting Radha’s family if it would provide solace to the community.
He also cited the Wildlife Protection Act as a major hurdle in addressing the increasing instances of wildlife attacks.
Chief Conservator of Forest, Northern Circle, KS Deepa said that a tiger was spotted in the same area—Pancharakolly, with its image captured on a forest department camera.
The image is currently under analysis, and officials are working to identify whether the tiger matches entries in the department’s database.
Patrolling has been intensified in Pancharakolly and surrounding residential areas to ensure public safety.
CCF Deepa stated that a decision regarding tranquillizing the tiger will be taken once Veterinary Surgeon Dr Arun Zakaria arrives. Veterinary team members Vishnu and Ajesh Mohandas have already reached the area.
She further stated that the department is closely monitoring the situation and has assured the residents that all necessary precautions are being taken.
Forest Range Officer S Ranjith Kumar noted that the area is unsuitable for searching using kumki elephants, indicating the challenges.
On Friday, the Chief Wildlife Warden of Kerala, Pramod G Krishnan IFS, issued the order under Section 11(1)(a) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The directive authorizes efforts to capture or tranquillize the tiger, which is suspected to have turned into a man-eater, posing a grave threat to human life.
The operation will follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). If attempts to cage or tranquillize the animal fail and it continues to pose a danger, the order permits the tiger to be hunted in strict adherence to NTCA guidelines.
The Chief Conservator of Forests, Northern Circle, Kannur, will oversee the operation to ensure meticulous execution. This move follows credible reports from forest officials and other reliable sources confirming the tiger’s threat to human safety.
A committee formed by forest officials has recommended capturing the tiger through cage trapping or tranquilization.
If these measures fail and the threat persists, the committee has advised hunting the animal as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
In response, camera traps and Rapid Response Teams have been deployed, and the district administration has restricted gatherings in the area under Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to ensure public safety.
Residents have been urged to avoid the vicinity while efforts to locate and neutralize the tiger continue.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
