Mananthavady: A 47-year-old woman, Radha, a member of the Adivasi community and the wife of temporary forest watcher Achappan, was tragically killed in a suspected tiger attack while plucking coffee at Priyadarshini Estate in Wayanad’s Mananthavady village on Friday morning. The attack occurred around 8:30 am, and the body was found deep within the forest by forest officials during their routine patrolling. Radha’s head was found partially consumed, suggesting the involvement of a tiger. The Mananthavady police are leading the investigation into the incident.

Growing concerns over human-animal conflict

The tragic incident has raised growing concerns about human-animal conflicts in areas bordering forests. Locals in the region have long expressed fears over the increasing frequency of such incidents, and the recent attack has escalated these concerns. In the wake of the attack, protests broke out among the local residents, with many calling for swift action from the authorities.

Minister’s response and protests

The protests come just a day after Kerala Forest Minister A K Saseendran claimed in the state assembly that human-animal conflicts were declining and that the government was taking effective measures to address the issue. Following the attack, Saseendran stated that orders had been issued for the tiger’s capture or elimination.

Despite these assurances, public anger intensified when locals protested before Minister O R Kelu, who arrived at the scene to address the crowd. They refused to allow the woman’s body to be taken for post-mortem until their demands were met. Many estate workers, particularly women, expressed their desire for the tiger to be either captured or killed.

Minister Kelu’s assurances

Minister Kelu assured the locals that all efforts would be made to capture the tiger. He also acknowledged that, despite a project for setting up fencing in the area, it had not yet been implemented. "It will be implemented," Kelu said, urging the locals to release the woman’s body for further procedures.

Kelu also announced plans to deploy Rapid Response Teams (RRT) in the region to ensure the safety of the locals. The district administration has authorised the shooting of the tiger in response to the attack.

Minister Saseendran’s further statement

Minister Saseendran addressed the media following the incident, highlighting the government’s ongoing efforts to manage human-animal conflicts. Despite his previous statement in the assembly, the minister confirmed that the tiger involved would be captured or killed. He also reiterated that steps would be taken to ensure better protection for the people in the area.