Rahul Gandhi Halts Yatra To Meet Families Of Elephant Attack Victims In Wayanad: WATCH
Rahul Gandhi visited the families of the victims who were killed in wild elephant attacks in Kerala's Wayanad district.
Halting his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Varanasi abruptly, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrived at his constituency in Kerala's Wayanad to visit the families of victims who lost their lives in wild elephants attacks recently. After meeting the families, the Wayanad MP spoke to the media and informed that he cut short his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to come to the district and speak to the grieving families and to tell the administration to release the compensation without delay.
He said, "We've been facing now these tragedies that are coming out of man-animal conflict for some time. And in the last few days, there have been a larger number of them...We've told the administration that they need to pay the compensation quickly and effectively and not delay the compensation that has been happening over the last couple of months. We also suggested to look into setting up and testing an early warning system."
"There's a question of interstate cooperation between Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. We mentioned to them that we will also play a role in trying to improve the coordination. But it's important that the three states coordinate with each other as far as this issue is concerned. Finally, the medical college, which is a critical issue. I don't understand why it is taking so long to develop and build a medical college here... I've written to the chief minister and I would request him again to please expedite this matter. It is almost becoming a joke now," he added.
#WATCH | Kerala: Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi says, "We've been facing now these tragedies that are coming out of man-animal conflict for some time. And in the last few days, there have been a larger number of them...We've told the administration that they need to pay the compensation… pic.twitter.com/Lc9B61eBXa
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024
He had reached the neighbouring Kannur district on Saturday night after receiving reports of intense protests in Wayanad over the wild animal attacks on locals.
Commenting on Rahul Gandhi's visit, Union Minister & BJP leader V Muraleedharan dubbed him a "tourist in his own constituency" and slammed him for not taking care of the issues there.
"He goes there once in 5-6 months. He should take care of the issues of the constituency that has been facing man-animal conflict for more than a week. Rahul Gandhi did not find time to visit till now. The reason for the death of a forest watchman was that he did not get the required medical assistance. Wayanad does not have a medical college where such people can be treated...Rahul Gandhi should have taken care of his constituency and ensured that basic medical facilities were there," the BJP leader said.
#WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister & BJP leader V Muraleedharan says, "He (Rahul Gandhi) is a tourist in his own constituency. He goes there once in 5-6 months. He should take care of the issues of the constituency that has been facing man-animal conflict for more than a week. Rahul… pic.twitter.com/JtPNGYzmnD
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024
VP Paul, a Forest Department Watcher was attacked by a wild tusker elephant near Kuruva Island which led to his death. Rahul Gandhi was seen consoling the family of the deceased eco-tourism guide and spent some time with the grieving family.
#WATCH | Kerala: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visited the residence of Ajeesh, a forest watcher who was killed in an elephant attack in Wayanad. pic.twitter.com/i9V9cNrwCg
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024
Gandhi had also halted at another victim Aji's residence who was trampled to death by a radio-collared elephant in Wayanad's Mananthavady area. Aji's death led to massive protests last week. The Congress leader spent over 20 minutes at the deceased's house and extended condolences to the family.
Rahul also visited the residence of Prajeesh, a victim who was killed in a tiger attack in Wayanad recently.
#WATCH | Kerala: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visited the residence of Prajeesh, who was killed in a tiger attack, in Wayanad. pic.twitter.com/RGsBabtQ0l
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi got to know that five to six people have been killed by elephants in Wayanad and there is a protest going on regarding the same. Rahul Gandhi urgently departed for Wayanad from Varanasi. Today is the 36th day of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. We had to postpone our programs in Bhadohi. The yatra will resume again from Prayagraj at 3 pm today..."
#WATCH | Bhadohi, UP: Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh says, "Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi got to know that 5-6 people have been killed by elephants in Wayanad and there is a protest going on regarding the same. Rahul Gandhi urgently departed for… pic.twitter.com/ZxlOu6xZPp
— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2024
Rahul has also written a letter to Kerala's CM Pinarayi Vijayan requesting him to take action over the incidents. He is also expected to attend an assessment and review meeting with district officials at the PWD house in Kalpetta, after which he will depart for Allahabad in the afternoon, PTI reported.
The rising attacks on the locals triggered intense protests as they demanded action against the frequent human-animal conflicts in Wayanad. On Saturday, a hartal called by various political parties against wild animal attacks in the district also took a violent turn.
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