Devikulam range in Keralam’s Idukki witnesses three deaths due to wild elephant attack in four months

With the post-mortem examination conclusively proving that Shiv Kumar, 30, a migrant worker from Madhya Pradesh, was killed in a wild elephant attack near Ayyanpara in Santhanpara on Thursday, people residing in areas under the Devikulam forest range are in the grip of panic, as this is the third life lost in an encounter with wild elephants over the past four months.

Kumar was trampled to death by the elephant on Thursday night, but forest officers initially suspected it to be a case of murder. The post-mortem report has laid to rest any such suspicion.

Kumar worked at a cardamom plantation in Ayyanpara and lived in a temporary shed with his colleagues. On Thursday evening, he and a co-worker visited Pethotty. On the way back, they were attacked by the wild elephant. His companion managed to escape without injuries.

The post-mortem examination was conducted at the Idukki Government Medical College Hospital. Officers confirmed that the department will bear the expenses to transport his mortal remains to his native place and will provide compensation to the bereaved family.

A police officer from the Santhanpara police station noted that the post-mortem report revealed multiple fractured ribs, severe liver damage, and extensive internal bleeding.

“The post-mortem report confirmed the death was caused by an elephant attack. It is suspected that a tusker from Mathikettan Shola National Park attacked the workers,” said a forest officer.

In similar incidents, on August 27, S. Ochappan, 68, a farmer from Tamil Nadu, was killed at Thalakkulam near Pooppara. Earlier, on June 8, Mari, 36, a Chinnakkanal resident, was trampled to death, and her 11-year-old son sustained injuries in a similar attack.

Following the incident on Thursday, the BJP Santhanpara panchayat committee staged a protest in front of the Bodimettu forest section office on Friday, alleging that the negligence of the Forest department led to the tragedy.