Tragic Death of Tribal Man After Surviving Landslide in Wayanad
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Synopsis
The man-animal conflict in Wayanad has claimed another life, with a tribal man tragically killed. This incident, occurring in a region known for wildlife hazards, highlights the ongoing struggle between local residents and the surrounding animal population.
Key Takeaways
- Balan was killed in a man-animal conflict.
- His body was found near the site of a previous landslide.
- Community outrage over official inaction continues.
- Wayanad is a region prone to such conflicts.
- This is the second fatality in two days in the area.
Wayanad, Feb 12 (NationPress) For the second consecutive day, the man-animal conflict has resulted in the tragic death of a tribal individual near Meppadi.
Since Tuesday night, 25-year-old Balan had been unaccounted for, and his remains were discovered in the morning.
The incident occurred close to the location in the district where 254 individuals lost their lives due to a landslide in July 2024.
A local resident, Balakrishnan, reported that Balan was on his way back from the shop but opted for an alternate route.
"Earlier today, I visited his home to summon him for work and learned he was missing. We initiated a search and soon found his body, which was severely mutilated, especially the head," explained Balakrishnan.
"The remains are currently covered and are lying at the discovery site. We await the arrival of officials, while the community expresses outrage over the officials' inaction," Balakrishnan added.
Nousha Marikar, the President of the Wayanad District Panchayat, criticized the ongoing apathy from officials, which has led to lost lives.
"We strongly believe that had the officials conducted timely patrols, the outcome could have been different. This event unfolded just a few kilometers from the forest station. The absence of streetlights in this area, which is known for wild elephant activity, is concerning," stated Marikar.
This incident occurred just 24 hours after a 45-year-old individual named Manu was killed by a wild elephant in Sulthan Bathery in the district.
The ongoing man-animal conflict has deeply affected the hilly region of Wayanad. On January 24, a woman gathering coffee beans was also killed by a tiger.
Balan's demise marks the 10th casualty in the last decade within Wayanad, and the second fatality in a mere two days.
Wayanad shares borders with the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, surrounded by dense forests that are home to tigers, wild elephants, and wild boars, instilling a lasting fear in residents living adjacent to these forested areas.
