The rice raider and jackfruit loving tuskers of Idukki

Residents of Santhanpara in the forested hills of Kerala’s Idukki district have been gripped by the fear of two notorious tuskers.

Nicknamed Chakka Komban (jackfruit tusker) and Ari Komban or rice tusker, the two pachyderms have reigned terror in the surrounding villages.

Farmers have been cutting down branches of the fruit-bearing trees while many others are at their wits’ end with the rice raider targeting ration shops.

Residents have been protesting against the Forest Department demanding more safeguards from attacks by the tuskers.

Over 40 persons have been killed in elephant attacks over the last few years.

Forest Department officials say efforts are on to capture or move wild elephants from the area that attack humans.