Death of youth in elephant attack; Team led by Anvar vandalizes Nilambur forest office 

MALAPPURAM: DMK activists staged a protest in connection with the death of a youth in wild elephant attack. Workers led by P V Anvar smashed the windows and doors of the Nilambur Forest Office. The protest was held alleging that the postmortem of Mani, who died in the elephant attack, was delayed and that there was a lapse in taking Mani, who was bleeding, to the hospital. P V Anvar and the workers then went to the Malappuram District Hospital where his postmortem is progressing.

Mani was attacked at around 6.45 pm last night. The incident occurred while he was returning after dropping his children at the tribal hostel. Mani was carrying his five-year-old son when the wild elephant attacked him. The other children who were with him rescued the child from the elephant. The children took Mani's son and ran away before the wild elephant could attack him. That is how he escaped from the attack.

Meantime, Forest Minister A K Saseendran said that financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh will be given to Mani's family. The rate of wildlife attacks is decreasing. The forest department is trying to reduce the death rate. The highest number of deaths are due to snake bites. The assembly subject committee will examine the Forest Act Amendment and bring necessary changes. The forest minister also said laws that are practical for the people will only be implemented.