Kerala: Young Man Killed by Wild Elephant in Palakkad
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Synopsis
A tragic incident in Kerala's Mundur, Palakkad, has left a 22-year-old man dead after being trampled by a wild elephant. The attack occurred close to the victim's home, prompting outrage and calls for action against rising wildlife encounters in the area.
Key Takeaways
- 22-year-old Alan was killed by a wild elephant.
- Incident occurred near his home in Mundur, Palakkad.
- His mother was injured and received medical attention.
- Local residents are concerned about increasing elephant attacks.
- Protests have been organized in response to the incident.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 7 (NationPress) In a tragic event, a 22-year-old individual was fatally trampled by a wild elephant in Kerala's Mundur, Palakkad.
Alan, a resident of Kairamkode, was riding a two-wheeler with his mother when they encountered the elephant just 50 metres from their home on Sunday night. The pair was returning from a relative’s residence in Puthupariyaram when the incident transpired around 8 p.m.
Alan unfortunately succumbed to his injuries while en route to the hospital. His mother, who suffered injuries during the attack, was initially admitted to the District Hospital and subsequently transferred to the Thrissur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
Alan’s remains have been moved to the mortuary. This event has sparked widespread concern and outrage among locals, who report that wild elephant sightings and attacks have been increasingly common in the area.
Malampuzha MLA A. Prabhakaran commented on the situation, labeling it as profoundly unfortunate. “I have addressed the issue of wild animal attacks multiple times in the Kerala Assembly. Despite various measures such as solar fencing, nothing seems effective. The DFO has informed me that they have yet to locate the elephant responsible for this attack, which raises serious concerns,” he stated.
In reaction, the CPI(M) has organized a hartal in Mundur until noon on Monday.
Local farmer P.R. Mukundan voiced his frustration, indicating that the forest department has not acted despite residents reporting sightings of the elephant in the vicinity. “The department failed to take timely measures to drive the elephant back into the forest,” he asserted.
Reflecting similar sentiments, CPI(M) Palakkad district committee member A.K. Gokuladas criticized the state forest department for not ensuring public safety.
In response to the incident, the BJP’s Palakkad district committee has declared a protest march to the office of the District Forest Officer (DFO) at 10 AM on Monday.
Kerala Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran assured that the forest department would provide compensation to Alan’s family.
