It is reported that a person was crushed to death by a wild elephant at Kanachari in Kuttampuzha Panchayat, near Kothamangalam, an eastern suburb of Ernakulam, at around 8 pm on Monday.
The deceased has been identified as 40-year-old Aldos from Kanachari. According to local residents, he was suddenly attacked by an elephant while he was walking home from the bus. Another man walking behind him in the same direction narrowly escaped being caught on his heels.
It is said that the body of the person, in a state of mutilation beyond recognition, was lying on the spot because the concerned authorities did not agree to come to the spot and implement their long-standing demand for a humane end, and the angry resident blocked its transfer. Animal conflict, which had progressively worsened in the region over the years. A large crowd had gathered in the area.
“One and a half years ago, we raised some demands when a similar death occurred in Pinnavurkudi in Kuttampujha panchayat. At that time, we demanded to fence and dig ditches in the areas adjacent to the forest. The area where the recent incident took place is known for frequent encroachments by wild elephants,” said Kanthi Vellakkayan, president of Kuttampuja panchayat.
The deceased was the sole breadwinner for the family of his aged parents and one sister. He was working as a general laborer and the accident happened when he was returning from his day’s work. The area of more than 1 km to his house is surrounded by dense forest and has no light.
“There are street lights, but they are not working. Aldos was chased by a tusker, which knocked him into a tree,” said a resident.
A woman remembers Aldous taking things home when Aldous approached Tusker. “His mother was still waiting for him. How many more lives will the elephant take before the officer’s eyes are opened? Let’s not let this happen now,’ she said.
Expressing grief over the death, Forest Minister AK Sasendran said necessary instructions have been issued to the Ernakulam district collector and forest officials to address the concerns of the residents. He said that even though the tender process for installing solar fencing to prevent wild elephants from entering human settlements at Urulanthanni near Kanachari has been completed, an investigation will be conducted to find out the reason for the delay in implementation.
MP Dean Kuriyakose, who represents Idukki constituency, which includes Kothamangalam, he alleged, criticized the government for its indifference to the people and their problems. “What’s the point of giving assurance after loss of life. The forest department has been given too much power but it’s still sluggish. It’s not about lack of funds or projects but lack of will to implement. How many people have died in this way in the last eight years?” he asked.
published – December 17, 2024 at 12:18 pm IST