Arikomban issue: expert committee in Chinnakanal

IDUKKI: The expert committee appointed by the High Court to resolve the issue of Arikomban, who regularly attacks Chinnakanal and Shantampara panchayats, returned after completing their visit to the district. There were four people in the group including the amicus curiae.

The team reached Chinnakanal after their meeting at Munnar Wildlife Warden's office. The team met 10 people from 5 tribal villages and 5 farmers from troubled areas of Chinnakanal panchayat. Information was sorted from these 15 people who were invited there. The local people's representatives protested by sitting on the road near the office, citing that they were not invited to the meeting. The police stopped the people's representatives who tried to enter the DFO office.

After the meeting, the team visited Cement bridge where the base of the Thappanas is located, the ration shop in Panniyar that Arikomban was vandalized 17 times, Sinkukandam, Chinnakanal, etc. During this visit, they were unwilling to see or talk to anyone else and only some of the people's representatives were consulted. At the same time, the locals look forward to the team's visit with great hope.

Amicus curiae advocate Ramesh Babu said that there will be another meeting today at 10 am to review the prepared information. The report will be submitted to the High Court soon.