Wild Elephant Kills Tribal Couple in Kannur

Thiruvananthapuram: An elderly tribal couple was killed by a wild elephant in Aralam Farm in the Kannur district of Kerala triggering massive protests by the residents against the failure of the authorities to protect the lives of the people residing in the area.

The wild elephant attacked Velliyadan and Leela around noon on Sunday while they were returning home after collecting cashew nuts in Block 13. The elderly couple died on the spot by the wild elephant which had been hiding behind their house.

Local residents staged protests against the frequent attacks by wild animals. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a high-level meeting on February 27 to discuss the measures required to address human-wildlife conflicts in the state.

The bodies of the victims were shifted to Pariyaram Medical College. The authorities announced Rs 20 lakh compensation for the victims' family and the first instalment of the amount would be disbursed on Monday.

Earlier, the villagers blocked the ambulance carrying the bodies of the couple near their house. The agitators refused to take the bodies to the house till Forest Minister A K Saseendran arrived.

The protestors also prevented CPM Kannur district secretary M V Jayarajan and other leaders who arrived at the spot from moving further.

Kerala CM convenes high-level meet

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has convened a high-level meeting on February 27 to discuss the measures being taken to address human-wildlife conflicts in the state. The meeting to be held at the chief minister's conference hall at the secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram will be attended by ministers of the forest, finance, local self-government, power, revenue, health and irrigation. Senior officials including the chief secretary, and secretaries of various departments will be present.

Around 20 people have been killed so far in wild elephant attacks in Aralam Farm. a designated Adivasi resettlement area in Kannur district.