Voters in Chinnakanal demand fix to wild elephant menace, candidates promise solutions

MUNNAR: For the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, residents of Idukki's Chinnakanal have taken the stand that they will vote for those who protect the people from wild elephants. They came to such a decision after going through repeated wild elephant attacks.

The people of Chinnakanal, Singukandam, BL Ram and Devikulam are suffering due to the attack of these pachyderms including Chakkakomban, Murivalan and Padayappa. Acres of cardamom plantations were destroyed. The animals stray into human settlements by destroying fencing and compound walls. Many houses were also destroyed.

Their position is that no one should come here with empty promises to cool down the protests. The people demand that steps should be taken to keep the wild animals in the forest.

Regular occurence

Wild elephant attacks are a regular occurrence in Chinnakanal. On Thursday evening, Chakkakomban attacked a cow. The woman who was with the cow miraculously escaped. In the attack, the cow belonging to Sarasamma Paulose in Singukandam suffered a back injury. Sarasamma saw the elephant and ran away. Chakkakomban also attacked a shed near 301 Colony. There were no people inside the shed.

Candidates with solutions

LDF candidate Joyce George has promised to earmark 30 percent of MP funds for projects to combat wildlife encroachment. To solve the problem, UDF candidate Dean Kuriakos has given the assurance that 50 percent of the MP fund in six taluks and CSR fund will be used for projects to solve the issue.