Devikulam range in Keralam’s Idukki witnesses three deaths due to wild elephant attack in four months

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An elephant herd seen roaming in a tea plantation under Devikulam range in Idukki. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Areas under the Devikulam forest range in Idukki continues to remain a death trap for people amid recurring wild elephant attacks. According to officials, three people have lost their lives in encounters with elephants here over the past four months.

The latest victim was identified as Shiv Kumar, 30, a migrant labourer hailing from Madhya Pradesh, who was trampled to death by a wild elephant near Ayyanpara in Santhanpara on Thursday night.

Shiv Kumar worked at a cardamom plantation in Ayyanpara and lived in a temporary shed with his colleagues. On Thursday evening, he and a co-worker visited Pethotty. On the way back, they were attacked by a wild elephant. His companion managed to escape without injuries.

The post-mortem examination was conducted at the Idukki Government Medical College Hospital. Officers confirmed that the department will bear the expenses to transport his mortal remains to his native place and will provide compensation to the bereaved family.

“It is suspected that a tusker from Mathikettan Shola National Park attacked the workers,” said a forest officer.

In similar incidents, on August 27, S. Ochappan, 68, a farmer from Tamil Nadu, was killed at Thalakkulam near Pooppara. Earlier, on June 8, Mari, 36, a Chinnakkanal resident, was trampled to death, and her 11-year-old son sustained injuries in a similar attack.

Following the incident on Thursday, the BJP Santhanpara panchayat committee staged a protest in front of the Bodimettu forest section office on Friday, alleging that the negligence of the Forest department led to the tragedy.

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