1. What is the recent incident involving a wild elephant attack in Munnar?
A 60-year-old Haritha Karma Sena worker, Vellamma, was injured while fleeing from an attack by two wild elephants in Munnar. The incident occurred when she was sorting waste in an area assigned by the Munnar grama panchayat. She fell into a nearby pit while attempting to flee and suffered leg fractures.
2. How many people have been injured in recent wild elephant attacks in Munnar?
In addition to Vellamma, another incident reported two people injured. Azhakamma sustained serious head and leg injuries after being lifted by the trunk of an elephant and gored with its tusk.
3. What happened in the autorickshaw attack that resulted in a fatality?
A 45-year-old autorickshaw driver, Suresh Kumar alias Mani, was killed by a wild elephant in the Kannimala Top Division of Munnar. The elephant attacked the autorickshaw, throwing Mani out and causing serious head injuries that led to his death.
4. How did the community respond to the autorickshaw attack?
The community responded with a protest, calling a hartal in the hill town and blocking roads. The LDF called for a hartal, while the UDF blockaded roads demanding a concrete solution to the rising wild elephant menace.
5. What compensation was provided to the victim's family?
The forest department officials provided immediate compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the victim's family. Additionally, the state government decided to take over the educational expenses of Suresh Kumar's children and provide a government job to his next of kin.
6. What measures have been taken to address the wild elephant issue?
To address the issue, the forest officials have promised to strengthen the functioning of the rapid response team in Munnar and conduct 24-hour patrolling. A team of local residents will be formed to track the path of the tusker, and forest officials are camping in the area to track its movement.
7. What are the demands made by Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose?
Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose has launched an indefinite hunger strike with three demands: to translocate the rogue tusker Padayappa from Munnar, to drive away trouble-making wild animals from human habitations to the forest, and to appoint an RRT team in Munnar as promised by the government five months ago.
8. How many lives have been claimed by wild elephant attacks in Munnar?
Wild elephant attacks in Munnar have claimed three lives, including that of Suresh Kumar alias Mani. Families of the victims are still awaiting full compensation.
9. What is the current situation regarding compensation for families affected by wild elephant attacks?
Families affected by wild elephant attacks are still awaiting full compensation. The state government has promised to meet the medical expenses of the injured and provide immediate compensation, but the process is ongoing.
