Operation 'Belur Makhana' recommences; Holidays declared for schools in affected areas

Kalpetta: The operation to tranquilise the wild elephant that killed a man in Wayanad resumed on Tuesday morning. The effort to capture the elephant ‘Belur Makhana’ entered the fourth day after the forest department officials missed a golden opportunity to tranquilise the elephant on Monday. 

Meanwhile, a holiday is declared for schools on Tuesday in Thirunelli panchayat and in the four divisions of Mananthavady municipal council, which includes Kurukkanmoola (12), Kuruva (13), Kadamkolli and Payyampally (15). 

The Idukki district collector declared a holiday late on Monday evening after the authorities detected the wild tusker in the region. Meanwhile,  Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) KS Deepa informed that her team will resume operations to tranquilise trouble-maker Wild Jumbo on Tuesday morning. The mission reportedly recommenced at 5 AM today.   

A team of 200 individuals, including forest department officials, had engaged in the operations yesterday. The team also fired a shot at the wild tusker but missed the target. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) from Mannarkkad, Nilambur, Kottiyoor and Kozhikode were part of the efforts.