Wild animal attacks in Wayanad: People's committee and patrol teams will be formed; remedial proposals decided

WAYANAD: A decision has been taken on the remedial proposals to resolve the issue of wild animal attacks in Wayanad. Two types of proposals were put forward in the meeting of the local representatives held today under the leadership of the ministers. Forest, Revenue and Local Government ministers attended the meeting. Proposals and decisions were made on matters such as medical assistance, the formation of people's committee and patrolling squads.

The ministers assured that the state government would bear the cost of treatment, including in private hospitals, for those who get injured in wild animal attacks. As part of preventing the attack of wild animals, a people's committee will be formed by including officials and people's representatives. The District Collector will act as the coordinator of this committee. This committee will assess the situation by meeting every two weeks, the Forest Minister said.

Minister K Rajan said that the issue in Wayanad is a matter that concerns the life of the people and that politics should not be mixed into it. Local Department Minister MB Rajesh said that monitoring will continue by deploying more drones in the forest area. Steps have already been taken to install 250 new surveillance cameras in the forest area. The minister said that 13 patrol squads have been assigned to the border areas.

Four ministers are currently visiting Wayanad where people are protesting following the intensification of the wild animal menace. Ministers K Rajan, AK Saseendran, K Radhakrishnan and MB Rajesh are in Wayanad. The ministers visited the houses of temporary watcher VP Paul, Padamala native Ajeesh and Vakeri native Prajeesh. While Paul and Ajeesh were killed by wild elephants, Prajeesh was mauled to death by a tiger.

Earlier, there were widespread protests against the ministers for not taking necessary measures regarding the wild animal attacks. Heavy security was arranged in Wayanad considering the protests.