A wild elephant attack claimed the lives of an elderly tribal couple at the Aralam farm here on Sunday evening. The deceased, identified as Velli, 80, and his wife Leela, 70, were attacked while they were collecting cashew nuts near the the Rapid Response Team office in Karikmukku.
Protests continued at the site of the attack late into Sunday night, with residents blockading the ambulance carrying the bodies, demanding immediate steps to prevent wildlife incursions. Seventeen lives have been lost to wild elephant attacks in Aralam since 2014.
Elephant-proof wall
Adivasi Dalit Munetta Samithi president Sreeram Koyyon said recurring fatalities in wildlife attacks highlighted the lack of concern for tribal lives. The construction of an elephant-proof wall, sanctioned at a cost of ₹52 crore remains incomplete, he added. “The work was supposed to be finished by March 2024, but less than 50% has been completed. Despite ministerial assurances of replacing the contractor, no action has been taken,” he alleged.
He stressed that ensuring people’s safety was the responsibility of not just the Forest department but also of the district administration and the Scheduled Tribes department. “Even after being driven into the forest, the elephants keep returning. Around 40 elephants are wreaking havoc here, especially during the cashew harvest season,“ said Bindu Rajan, a tribal resident in the farm.
‘Living in fear’
She added that the community lived in fear every day. “We worry about our children and loved ones until they return home safely,“ she said. The residents have been demanding urgent mitigation measures to prevent further tragedies.
District Collector Arun K. Vijayan and Division Forest Officer Vysak Sasikumar were unavailable for comments. Sunny Joseph, MLA, visited the farm. He said the situation was unfortunate and people were agitated over the frequent elephant attacks. “The government has done nothing to safeguard the lives of people here,” he added.
Published – February 23, 2025 09:12 pm IST
