Tiger scare shuts Wayanad govt engineering college for five days, students asked to vacate hostel

KALPETTA: The Government Engineering College will shut down for one week after alarms were raised about the tiger's presence in Thalappuzha in Wayanad. For one week, classes will be held online. Students, staying in college hostels and private hostels in Thalappuzha have been instructed to return home.

Footprints believed to be of a tiger were found in the residential areas of Kannothumala, 44th Mile, Kambipalam and Thalappuzha under the Varayal Forest range. After huge protests from locals, forest officials set up a cage in the area. 14 camera traps and two live cameras have been installed. Drones are also being used to monitor forest areas. The forest department had earlier instructed people not to panic and avoid travelling alone at night.

Curfew was announced in four places in Wayanad last month. Restrictions have been imposed in Panjarakolli, Mele Chirakkara, and Pilakkavu three-road section and Maniyamkunnu section. Even shops are not asked to function during night hours.

At the same time, the plantation workers complained about spotting tigers near the estate area in Panjarakolli. Workers are hesitant not to allow children to go out and play while there is also a risk of them coming to work during early morning hours, not knowing what is lurking behind the green lushes.