The Youth Congress activists waved black flags at a ministerial delegation at Sulthan Bakery in Wayanad district on Tuesday. The delegation arrived in Wayanad for a high-level meeting to discuss the issues related to human-animal conflicts in the region.
The protesters showed black flags at the convoy of ministers K Rajan, A K Saseendran, and M B Rajesh opposing the perceived delay in their arrival to the district, which had recently experienced frequent human casualties due to wild animal attacks, according to a report on PTI.
Following this, the police rushed to the spot and forcibly dispersed the protestors and took them to their vehicle at Chungam in Bathery.
For some time now, the state government has been receiving widespread criticism for its alleged failure to send any ministers to the protest-stricken Wayanad to address the concerns of residents following the recent fatalities.
The Congress-led UDF had already announced a day-and-night protest in front of the district collectorate complex on Wednesday demanding permanent solutions to the escalating human-wildlife conflicts in the area.
Earlier in the day, the ministers participated in an all-party meeting held at Sulthan Bathery. According to official sources, this meeting involved all local representatives, including councillors of Wayanad, as well as senior officials.
Both Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan had previously visited the families of those who lost their lives in animal attacks.
Two days ago, Wayanad witnessed violent protests during a dawn-to-dusk hartal called by various political parties, demanding action against the wild elephant menace in the region.
Last week, two residents were trampled to death by wild elephants in Wayanad. A temporary eco-tourism staff died due to an elephant attack at Kozhikode Medical College and Hospital on Friday.