Plantation worker killed in wild elephant attack in Idukki

A 65-year-old plantation worker from Tamil Nadu was killed after being attacked by a herd of wild elephants in Idukki’s Thalakkulam near Poopara. Relatives later blocked NH-85 demanding action, but ended the protest after officials assured compensation from the Forest Department

Idukki (Keralam): A plantation worker was killed in an attack by a herd of wild elephants here on Thursday, police said. The deceased was identified as Oppachan (65), a native of Bodinayakanur in Tamil Nadu. According to police, Oppachan was working at an estate when he encountered a herd of wild elephants at around 8 am in Thalakkulam near Poopara. Though he attempted to move away, the elephants attacked him, they said.

The elephants moved away around 11 am after residents burst crackers in an attempt to rescue him, police said. Oppachan was seriously injured in the attack and died at the spot, they said. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors confirmed his death.

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Santhanpara police have registered a case of unnatural death and launched an investigation. The body was taken to Theni Medical College in Tamil Nadu for postmortem examination, police said.

Following the incident, Oppachan’s relatives staged a protest by blocking National Highway 85. Later, public representatives reached the spot, held discussions with the relatives and assured them that compensation payable by the Forest Department in cases of death caused by wild animal attacks would be released, officials said.

The protesters subsequently ended their agitation and traffic resumed on the highway, police said. The area is prone to wild elephant attacks, with several herds frequently straying into the region, police said. Several deaths caused by wild animal attacks have been reported in the area in the past, they added.