Auto driver injured in wild boar attack dies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An auto driver, who was under treatment following an accident caused by a wild boar, died of his injuries. He has been identified as Akhil Raj of Kallara in the capital city. The accident happened on Friday night at 9.15 pm. He died early Sunday morning. The body is kept in the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. The body will be handed over to his relatives after postmortem.

The local residents said the threat of wild boar is rampant in Kallara, Pangode, Bharathanoor, Muthuvila, Parappil and Pattara areas. Although local bodies have the authority to shoot wild boars that enter residential areas and cause damage to human life and property, the lack of licensed gun owners is an obstacle. In hilly and rural areas, farmers are hesitant to even cultivate rubber in addition to tuber crops. Many plantations, including rubber and tapioca, have encroached on forests and thickets, resembling forests. With this, wild animals, including wild boars, have increased in these places too.

Not all panchayats have licensed gun owners. Most of those having guns are not available at nights. People having gun licenses are above 75. Their service is difficult due to ill health. Even if permission is obtained to shoot, there are many obstacles. Lactating pigs should not be killed. If they escape into the forest, should not chase and shoot them. If they die of a gunshot, the meat should not be used for food, but instead, the forest guards should be convinced to make it useless using kerosene and then buried. Such laws make the farmer miserable.