In response to the escalation of tensions following a tragic incident where a man lost his life in an encounter with a wild elephant, prompting the second such occurrence in the past ten days, a district-wide 'hartal' has been declared in Wayanad, Kerala. Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader representing the Wayanad constituency, has altered his plans and is en route to the region from Varanasi, where he was engaged in his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in Uttar Pradesh. According to statements from the Congress, Gandhi's presence in Wayanad is urgently required amidst the unrest sparked by the unfortunate incident, and he is expected to resume his nationwide journey for justice and unity from Prayagraj on Sunday afternoon.
Gandhi's visit to Wayanad comes on the heels of another distressing incident where a local resident fell victim to a wild elephant attack near Kuruva island in Wayanad, further fueling the ongoing protests demanding lasting resolutions to the recurrent man-animal conflicts plaguing the area. Scheduled to arrive in Wayanad today, Gandhi will then return to Varanasi tomorrow to continue his engagements in Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the 'hartal' staged in response to the elephant attack took a violent turn in Pulpally, with residents venting their frustration by halting a forest department vehicle and causing damage to it. The irate crowd vandalized the vehicle, tearing off its soft top and puncturing its tire as a form of protest against the tragic loss of life, symbolized by the presence of the deceased tourism guide Paul's body near Kuruva island.
In solidarity with the 'hartal,' shops remained shuttered, and roads were devoid of vehicular traffic throughout Wayanad. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has taken note of the escalating tensions and has instructed concerned ministers to convene a high-level meeting to address the pressing issue of human-wildlife conflicts in Wayanad. Revenue, Forest, and Local Self Government Department (LSGD) ministers are slated to assemble for this crucial discussion in Wayanad district on February 20, in a concerted effort to devise effective strategies for mitigating such incidents in the future.
The recent tragedy echoes a similar incident from last week, where a 42-year-old individual fell victim to a wild elephant attack in the Mananthavady area of Wayanad, triggering widespread outrage and demonstrations across the region.
