House destroyed in Arikomban's attack, resident of the house | Photo: Mathrubhumi News
Idukki: In yet another case of elephant attack, wild tusker Arikomban destroyed a house in Chinnakanal, Idukki. As per reports, the jumbo attacked the house in Suryanelli 92 colony while three people were inside.
The incident took place on Tuesday around 1 am at the house of Leela, a resident of the colony. On seeing the tusker, Leela ran into the forest along with her daughter and granddaughter.
The kitchen and front portion of the house were completely destroyed and a sack of rice was found torn out in the front yard. The elephant is believed to have eaten the rice and later went back.
This is the second elephant attack at Leela’s house and the latest one comes amid ongoing efforts to translocate the jumbo from Chinnakanal to Parambikulam as per the high court order.
“We escaped by running into the forest. If we had stayed here, then the jumbo would have killed the three of us. We cannot live here peacefully till Arikomban is caught,” said Leela’s daughter.
“We are not saying that the elephant should be killed. We only want it to be shifted from here,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday will hear the plea filed against the translocation of Arikomban to Parambikulam.
Earlier the court had pronounced the translocation order by approving the report submitted by a five-member committee appointed to study the necessity of Mission Arikomban under the forest department.