Anvar arrested after protest over elephant trampling Kerala man to death
Hindustan Times
January 6, 2025
A tribal man was killed by a wild elephant in Malappuram, sparking protests
by DMK supporters. MLA Anvar was arrested for vandalism during the protests.
A 35-year-old tribal man was trampled to death by a wild elephant in a
forest near Nilambur in Malappuram district on Saturday night, following
which supporters of Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK), the organisation
led by Independent MLA PV Anvar, protested against the incident, officials
aware of the matter said on Sunday, adding that the legislator was arrested
in the night in connection with the vandalism during the agitation.
Following the man’s death, DMK supporters alleged negligence by forest
personnel in addressing man-animal conflicts in the area.
The protesters also allegedly vandalised the office of the Divisional
Forest Officer (DFO) in Nilambur on Sunday, police said. “Anvar has been
booked under several charges, including destruction of public property and
incitement to violence,” said an officer on condition of anonymity.
At least three members of the DMK have also been arrested in connection
with the vandalism of the DFO office, said a police officer on condition of
anonymity.
The deceased man was identified as Mani, a resident of Poochappara village
and belonging to the Cholanaikkar tribe, which reside in the interior areas
of the forests.
According to forest officials, Mani was attacked by the elephant inside the
forest while he was returning home after dropping his children at a hostel
around 7pm. “He was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his
injuries around 10.30pm,” said a forest official on condition of anonymity.
However, Mani’s family has alleged that there was a delay on part of the
forest authorities in admitting him to hospital.
Following his death, the state government announced a compensation of ₹10
lakh for his family.
The fatality is a continuation of the human-elephant conflict in the state
and the third to be recorded in the past two weeks.
Following the incident, Anvar alleged that the forest department stood as a
mute spectator as the area has witnessed a spike in human-elephant
conflicts.
“Protests are natural as a man’s life has been lost, and so many lives will
also be lost in the future. This fuels anger among the local people here.
The government is not concerned about protecting people from attacks of
wild elephants. Forest minister AK Saseendran has not even visited the
family of the deceased,” said Anvar.
Forest minister Saseendran told reporters, “The attack took place deep
inside the forest. But because the deceased is a tribal man whose
settlement is inside the forest, the government will extend financial
assistance to his family members. Measures are being taken across the state
to restrict wild elephants to the forest areas.”
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/anvar-arrested-after-protest-over-elephant-trampling-kerala-man-to-death-101736101982840.html
Anvar arrested after protest over elephant trampling Kerala man to death
Hindustan Times
January 6, 2025
A tribal man was killed by a wild elephant in Malappuram, sparking protests
by DMK supporters. MLA Anvar was arrested for vandalism during the protests.
A 35-year-old tribal man was trampled to death by a wild elephant in a
forest near Nilambur in Malappuram district on Saturday night, following
which supporters of Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK), the organisation
led by Independent MLA PV Anvar, protested against the incident, officials
aware of the matter said on Sunday, adding that the legislator was arrested
in the night in connection with the vandalism during the agitation.
Following the man’s death, DMK supporters alleged negligence by forest
personnel in addressing man-animal conflicts in the area.
The protesters also allegedly vandalised the office of the Divisional
Forest Officer (DFO) in Nilambur on Sunday, police said. “Anvar has been
booked under several charges, including destruction of public property and
incitement to violence,” said an officer on condition of anonymity.
At least three members of the DMK have also been arrested in connection
with the vandalism of the DFO office, said a police officer on condition of
anonymity.
The deceased man was identified as Mani, a resident of Poochappara village
and belonging to the Cholanaikkar tribe, which reside in the interior areas
of the forests.
According to forest officials, Mani was attacked by the elephant inside the
forest while he was returning home after dropping his children at a hostel
around 7pm. “He was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his
injuries around 10.30pm,” said a forest official on condition of anonymity.
However, Mani’s family has alleged that there was a delay on part of the
forest authorities in admitting him to hospital.
Following his death, the state government announced a compensation of ₹10
lakh for his family.
The fatality is a continuation of the human-elephant conflict in the state
and the third to be recorded in the past two weeks.
Following the incident, Anvar alleged that the forest department stood as a
mute spectator as the area has witnessed a spike in human-elephant
conflicts.
“Protests are natural as a man’s life has been lost, and so many lives will
also be lost in the future. This fuels anger among the local people here.
The government is not concerned about protecting people from attacks of
wild elephants. Forest minister AK Saseendran has not even visited the
family of the deceased,” said Anvar.
Forest minister Saseendran told reporters, “The attack took place deep
inside the forest. But because the deceased is a tribal man whose
settlement is inside the forest, the government will extend financial
assistance to his family members. Measures are being taken across the state
to restrict wild elephants to the forest areas.”
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/anvar-arrested-after-protest-over-elephant-trampling-kerala-man-to-death-101736101982840.html
