Amid Kerala forest officials struggling to capture a radio-collared wild elephant which killed a man in Mananthavady in Wayanad, the residents intensified their demand to shoot and kill the elephant on Tuesday. The residents told the media that schools remained close and prohibitory orders were in place in several areas of the high-range district for four days. They alleged that it was impossible for the people to venture out of the house at any time of the day.
"We cannot continue to live in fear like this. If they cannot tranquilise the elephant today, then we demand that the elephant be shot dead," the protesting locals said, as per PTI.
Protests erupted in certain areas due to the delayed capture of the elephant. The forest authorities initiated the operation to capture the elephant on February 10, the same day it trampled a man named Aji.
Residents expressed skepticism regarding the forest officials' ability to tranquilize the elephant on the present day. A local resident warned that if the officials fail to immobilize the elephant today, they would prevent them from leaving the area tonight.
In the meantime, forest officials, along with Rapid Response Teams (RRT) and three kumki elephants, have been deployed to facilitate the capture of the wild elephant.
The state government, on Saturday, announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and pledged employment for a family member of Aji, the victim of the elephant attack.
CCTV footage of the incident depicted Aji and others attempting to flee from the wild elephant and seeking refuge in a house's compound. However, the elephant breached the compound wall and pursued the man.
Locals alleged that the elephant crossed the Kerala border from Karnataka and arrived in the Kuruvadweep locality near the area on Saturday morning. However, they criticized the Forest Department for not promptly announcing this information and warning people to avoid venturing out.