'Tranquilize, send it back to forest'; Kumkis brought in to tame rogue elephant in Mananthavady

MANANTHAVADY: An order has been issued to immediately tranquillize the elephant that has gone rogue and killed a farmer in Mananthavady on Saturday. The decision comes minding the powerful protest by the locals that brought the town of Mananthavady to a halt. In the order, it is stated that the elephant after tranquilized should be made to go back into the forest with the help of Kumki elephants.

On Saturday morning at 7: 30 am, Ajeesh, a farmer was trampled to death by a giant elephant that entered one house premises. The occupants of the house escaped by a whisker.

At the same time, the locals demand that the elephant should be shot dead. Residents of the area are protesting by bringing Ajeesh's dead body in front of the sub-collector's office. The locals came out on the streets in protest alleging that the collector and DFO failed to reach the spot even hours after the incident.

The locals allege that the forest department failed to give any warning to the residents despite knowing the presence of elephants since 4 am. Locals are protesting by blocking the roads to places like Kozhikode, Mysuru and Thalassery. SP T Narayanan, who had reached Mananthavady Medical College, was stopped by the locals on the way.