Elephant attack: Govt to provide Rs 11 lakh to victim's family following protest

Kalpetta: The State government has decided to provide an immediate relief of Rs 11 lakh as ex-gratia payment to the family of Raju, the tribal farmer who was killed in an elephant attack in Wayanad on Tuesday. The deceased's relative will also be given a temporary job.The announcement was made after an all-party meet which was convened following the protests.

The tribal department will also construct a house for the family. Steps will be taken to improve the road to his residence. The government would also sponsor the education of Raju's children. Raju's child will be given a job according to his/her educational qualification. Raju's relative Biju, who was also injured in  an elephant attack, will be given disability pension. The authorities also decided to introduce night patrolling in the area and convene a panchayatvigil meeting on a monthly basis.

Hundreds of villagers from Marod tribal settlement blocked the Kozhikode-Bengaluru National highway at Kalloor from 9 am on Wednesday. The protest began when the motorcade of Minister for SC/ST OR Kelu arrived at the spot in the morning along with forest department personnel to hand over a cheque worth Rs 5 lakh, the first instalment of the Rs 10 lakh solatium, to the kith and kin of the victim. Protesters, who gathered under the aegis of Janakeeya Samithy, said they would not perform the last rites of the deceased till the forest department personnel assured them of their right to live. 

Raju, the tribal farmer, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday evening. The village has been facing wildlife attacks almost every day in the recent past and people's anger against authorities erupted on Wednesday following Raju's death. The mortal remains of Raju were brought home later.

Shouting slogans, villagers, including a large number of women, first protested blocking the minister's motorcade and later blocked the vehicular movement through the interstate highway. However, the police facilitated way to the minister. He was heading to Rajau's house to meet his family.

“For the past many days, the animal has been roaming in the area charging at the people,” one of the protesters said, adding that despite their repeated warnings to the forest officials, no action was taken to drive back the rogue animal to the forest. Raju's death could have been avoided had the officials given ear to villagers' plea, they said. The road blockade is still continuing.