‘Forest Minister is incompetent; wild animals threatening human lives must be killed, we have been doing it' 

MUNNAR: CPM leader M M Mani has sparked controversy with his statement that there is nothing wrong in killing wild animals that pose a threat to human lives. He also criticized Forest Minister Shibu Baby John for allegedly failing to take effective measures to prevent increasing incidents of wildlife attacks. Mani was responding to media questions regarding the minister's recent statement that there is no single solution to tackle wildlife attacks.

‘Any animal that poses a threat to human life must be dealt with. If there is no other way, there is nothing wrong with killing such animals. We have grown up facing wild animals for generations in the high ranges. The new forest minister Shibu Baby John is incompetent on the issue,’ said Mani.

His remarks come amid a surge in wildlife attacks in the hilly regions of Idukki. A woman was killed in a wild elephant attack at Chinnakanal recently. Following the incident, the CPM has decided to intensify its protests against the government.

Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier reacted to the issue, demanding immediate financial assistance and compensation for the families of those killed in wildlife attacks. Six people had lost their lives in such incidents within the past two weeks and urged the government to adopt a more responsible approach in addressing the crisis.