Arikomban along with five tuskers spotted near residential areas again

IDUKKI: Arikomban, the wild tusker and five others were seen near the residential area. The elephant herd is located near the Sinkukandam cement bridge, 500 meters away from where the Kumki elephants are housed. Meantime, the hartal called by ten panchayats of Devikulam and Udumbanchola taluks to protest the high court order not to capture Arikompan, is continuing.

The protesters blocked the national highway. The vehicles that were blocked at 6 am were allowed to pass only by 10 am. The plantation sector is also at a standstill. The hartal is till 6 pm. Rajakkad, Senapati and Bisonwali panchayats have been exempted from the hartal considering the examination of students.

The high court had clarified the other day that it is not possible to consider the capture and cage of Arikomban. The court had asked the forest department officials if there were any other options in the case of Arikomban.

The court observed that the permanent solution would be to relocate the people in 301 Colony suffering due to the movement of Arikomban. While considering the plea yesterday, the court asked how the adivasis were relocated to the elephant habitat.