Nilambur: Protests broke out at the District Forest Officer (DFO) office in Malappuram following the tragic death of a 37-year-old tribal man, Mani, who was killed after being trampled by a wild elephant in Kerala's Nilambur forest. The incident occurred near the Poochappara settlement in the Karulai forest range on Sunday evening, police reported.
Mani, from the Cholanaikkan community, was returning home with his group after dropping his children at a tribal hostel when the elephant attacked. Despite the shock of the attack, the rest of the group -- including two elders, three youths aged 18-19, and Mani’s five-year-old child -- escaped unharmed. “The child, who was in Mani’s arms, fell to the ground during the attack and was rescued by others,” said Vinod, an eyewitness.
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The attack took place around 6:45 pm, and due to the remote location, it was difficult to reach Mani immediately. His brother carried him for over 1.5 kilometers to a vehicle-accessible area, but despite the efforts, Mani succumbed to his injuries at Nilambur government hospital.
Kerala Forest Minister A K Saseendran expressed his condolences, stating, “The loss of a life is tragic, and we will ensure the family receives the necessary support.”
Protests over lack of intervention
In response to the incident, protests erupted at the DFO office, led by PV Anvar MLA. Demonstrators expressed frustration over the lack of intervention and inquiry from forest officials regarding the incident. The protest escalated, with reports of broken doors, chairs, and tube lights. Police were caught off guard by the intensity of the protests.
“There has been no intervention or inquiry from the forest officials. Naturally, protests have followed. A life has been lost, and this reflects the emotions of the people. There is a limit to how much it can be controlled,” PV Anvar MLA told reporters.
With Agency inputs
Published: 05 Jan 2025, 12:33 pm IST
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