Wild elephant attacks claim three lives in Idukki's Devikulam range in four months
Three people have died in wild elephant attacks in the Devikulam forest range over four months, with the latest victim being a migrant worker from Madhya Pradesh.
The Devikulam forest range in Kerala's Idukki district has recorded three deaths from wild elephant attacks in the past four months, underscoring the persistent danger to residents and workers in the area.
The most recent victim was Shiv Kumar, a 30-year-old migrant labourer from Madhya Pradesh. He was trampled to death by a wild elephant near Ayyanpara in Santhanpara on Thursday night. Kumar worked at a cardamom plantation in Ayyanpara and lived in a temporary shed with colleagues. On Thursday evening, he and a co-worker visited Pethotty, and while returning they were attacked. The companion escaped unhurt.
The post-mortem was conducted at the Idukki Government Medical College Hospital. Officials said the department will cover the cost of transporting the body to his native place and provide compensation to his family. A forest officer said it is suspected that a tusker from Mathikettan Shola National Park carried out the attack.
Two earlier incidents in the same range have also proved fatal. On August 27, S. Ochappan, a 68-year-old farmer from Tamil Nadu, was killed at Thalakkulam near Pooppara. On June 8, Mari, a 36-year-old resident of Chinnakkanal, was trampled to death, while her 11-year-old son was injured in the same attack.
Following Thursday's death, the BJP Santhanpara panchayat committee staged a protest in front of the Bodimettu forest section office on Friday, alleging that negligence by the Forest department led to the tragedy.