Public protest delays shifting of body of man killed by wild tusker at Kuttampuzha in Kerala

Eldhose, 45, a resident of Valiya Knachary in Pinavoorkudy ward in Kuttampuzha panchayat, came under a surprise attack by the wild tusker on December 16

The body of a man trampled to death by a wild tusker at Urulanthanni in Kuttampuzha panchayat along the eastern suburbs of Ernakulam district on Monday (December 16, 2024) night was allowed to be moved from the scene of tragedy to the hospital by the protesting people only on Tuesday (December 17, 2024) around 2.30 a.m.

Eldhose, 45, a resident of Valiya Knachary in Pinavoorkudy ward in Kuttampuzha panchayat, came under a surprise attack by the wild tusker in the cover of the night when he was walking to his home through an unlit stretch of road after returning from work on Monday around 8.30 p.m. The deceased was a bachelor and the sole breadwinner of his family of aged parents and a sister.

As the fury and anguish of a people whose daily lives and livelihood remain affected by recurring invasions of wild animals boiled over and find reflection in the intense protest that lasted more than six hours through the night, the district collector N.S.K, Umesh had to plead them with folded hands to allow to shift the body even as he promised to meet all their long-standing demands. “His (deceased’s) sister is asking how can we keep on discussing when her brother’s body continues to lie on the road. I request you with folded hands to please allow us to take the body (to the hospital). I will hold a review meeting on December 27 and personally ensure that all the necessary measures are taken,” Mr. Umesh said.

The body was taken to the Government Medical College Hospital, Kalamassery, on Tuesday around 4.30 a.m. The body is expected to be taken back home at Valiya Knachary after postmortem around Tuesday afternoon. Funeral is likely later in the evening.

A people’s hartal has been called in Kuttampuzha panchayat and Kothamangalam town on Tuesday. Protest marches are set to be taken out from Kothamangalam town to the Divisional Forest Officer’s office and in Kuttampuzha to the forest range officer’s office.

Earlier, people were furious about the perceived delay in the arrival of authorities, including the MLA and district collector, at the spot even hours after the incident. Eventually, Kothamangalam MLA Antony John and Muvattupuzha MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan, Mr. Umesh along with the senior forest and police officials reached the scene.

The authorities had to soak in the anger of the protesting public who accused the government and forest department of alleged apathy in resolving the ever-worsening human-animal conflict. Restoring the solar fencing, digging trenches in the affected stretch and installing streetlights were the main demands raised by the people. The demands were initially raised by the people when another man was killed in the same Pinavoorkudy ward some two years ago.

Immediate relief of Rs. 10 lakh to the family of the deceased and a government job to his sister were among the other demands. A cheque for Rs. 5 lakh has been given to the family and it was assured that the remaining will be paid on Tuesday itself, said Kuttampuzha panchayat president Kanthi Vellakayyan.

The tension was eventually defused after Mr. Umesh agreed to meet their demands.

Published - December 17, 2024 08:56 am IST