Idukki, Kerala: Plantation owners and workers in parts of Idukki district have been instructed to halt all work and movement inside estates from 6 pm to 6 am to prevent human-wildlife conflicts.

In an order issued by District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt, the Inspectors of Plantations in Munnar, Peerumade and Udumbanchola have been instructed to ensure that plantation workers and owners comply with the night-time restriction. Officials said the measure is aimed at preventing human-wildlife encounters and ensuring the safety of people working in plantations.

The order comes days after the death of 47-year-old Vijayan, a tribal man from Panniyar, in a wild elephant attack. Vijayan was killed in the early hours of September 23 while returning home after being at a worksite. Forest officials said the elephant involved was identified as 'Chakkakomban', a tusker known to enter inhabited areas.

Local residents said Vijayan came face-to-face with the elephant and attempted to flee, but the tusker chased him and attacked him. He died in the incident, according to officials and local accounts.

The death triggered protests in the area, following which authorities assured residents that 'Chakkakomban' and two female wild elephants that also frequently enter inhabited areas would be relocated. The Forest Department subsequently announced plans to capture and translocate three elephants from the Chinnakanal region.

The latest restriction is not the first controversial order issued by the Idukki district administration in response to the escalating human-wildlife conflict. An earlier order had triggered criticism over its observation that obstruction of wild animals' movement routes was contributing to attacks.