Death of youth in wild elephant attack, hartal in Munnar

MUNNAR: A hartal is being observed in Munnar in protest against the death of the auto driver after being attacked by a wild elephant. The dawn to dusk hartal called by the LDF in the KDH village limits has started. The Congress is also planning protest programmes including road blockade in Munnar today.

Suresh Kumar alias Mani (45) of Kannimala Estate Top Division is the auto driver who died in the elephant attack. The incident happened last night at 9.30 pm. There were five people in the auto. The injuries sustained by Eskki Raja (45) and Rejina (39), the passengers of the auto, are serious. They have been admitted at the high range hospital in Munnar.

The accident happened when they were returning after attending the school anniversary of Eskki Raja’s daughter. The elephant toppled the auto and Mani, who fell from it, was attacked with its tusks. Mani who fell on the road sustained serious head injuries and died on the spot itself. It is the same elephant that trampled to death a native of Tamil Nadu in Gundumala Estate on January 23. With this, the death toll in Munnar region alone in two months in wild elephant attacks has risen to four.