Hartal in Idukki over 'Arikomban' issue turns intense, roads blocked

Periyakanal, Bodimettu, Singukandam: The 12-hour hartal announced in ten panchayats in the Idukki district on Thursday became intense after people blocked public roads demanding swift action to capture rogue wild tusker 'Arikomban'.

The hartal is being observed a day after the Kerala High Court constituted a five-member expert committee to advise the court on options other than capturing the tusker 'Arikomban' that has reportedly killed several people and destroyed human settlements. It stopped the forest department's plan to capture the elephant.

Vehicles on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway (NH 85) came to a sudden halt after protestors blocked the road. Later, the police mediated, and traffic was restored on the national highway. However, this was a brief respite as protestors returned to block the road, denying vehicles, including KSRTC buses, from passing through the area. 

The natives demanded immediate capture of the rogue tusker before its return to wreak havoc in populated areas. Meanwhile, the natives claim they would be happy even if the elephant was captured and set free in the deep forest.

Those obstructing the road in Bodimettu remarked they would continue the strike until the court-appointed five-member expert committee arrives in Idukki.

Moreover, the natives remain hostile in Singukandam and mocked the authorities by saying they would be safer if they lived near the Kumki elephants. 

CPM and Congress have expressed solidarity with hartal. 

The High Court had on Wednesday constituted a five-member expert committee to decide what action should be taken concerning Arikomban, so named as it raids ration shops and houses for rice.
The panel has to communicate its decision to the court by April 5.

The court only permitted tranquilising and radio-collaring of the tusker if it forayed into inhabited areas despite the best efforts of forest and wildlife personnel to deter it from doing so.

Protesting against the court's decision, people from several panchayats of the district came out onto the roads and blocked traffic in some areas. 

Meanwhile, Kerala Forests Minister A K Saseendran said the court order "has only served to complicate matters further".

Speaking to the media, Saseendran said that the government would place the plight of the people living there before the expert committee and attempt to convince them to visit the area.

"We can go in for appeal only after a final decision is taken by the court," he said.

In assuaging the concerns and fears of the people affected by the tusker, the minister said that whatever steps have to be taken under the law, the government will take them.