Mananthavady: Wayanad BJP district chief has backtracked from his comments on the violent protests related to the death of Paul, the victim of a wild jumbo attack. The move comes as his statement at a media conference courted controversy.

BJP district president KP Madhu had said that when decisions in the all-party meeting held over the death of a man in a wild jumbo attack were read out, people were triggered by instigating remarks made by some cassock-clad people. “Some cassock-clad people ragged with cues like don’t leave them, detain them,” he had said.

The remarks received flak and later Madhu claimed that he did not make such remarks.  Madhu clarified that what Pulpally witnessed was a normal protest. “The state government is the reason,” he said. 

It may be noted that Pulpally witnessed violent protests over frequent human-wildlife conflict-related deaths. The locals turned against forest and police officials. They even booed at people representatives over alleged apathy. Women, youngsters, and priests were part of the protests.