Wild animal attacks: Several families in Idukki yet to receive compensation in full

IDUKKI: Over 80 people have been killed in wild animal attacks in the Idukki district in the last 15 years. Although the government has announced compensation to the families of the deceased, only a handful have received it in full. Moreover, family members have not received the promised permanent jobs.

Some families received only Rs 50000 which was provided as emergency financial aid. Among the five people who were killed in the last two months, only the families of Suresh Kumar (48) and Indira (72) received full compensation. The District Collector intervened and provided the compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of Suresh Kumar and Indira within a few hours following the strong protests staged by the people's representatives and locals.

The families of Panniyar native Parimalam (44), Coimbatore native Paul Raj (73) and Chinnakkanal native Sounderrajan (68), who were killed in wild elephant attacks this year, have received only the emergency financial aid of Rs 50,000 so far.

Since 2010, 44 people have been killed in wild elephant attacks in Munnar Forest Division. One and a half crore rupees were allotted to them as compensation. This means a family did not even get an average of three and a half lakh rupees.