Yet to receive promised compensation from govt; kin of wild animal attack victims in tears

IDUKKI: The family of Amar Elahi (22), son of Paliath Ibrahim, who was killed in a wild elephant attack, has not received the compensation promised by the government even after a month. The incident took place in Mullaringad, Idukki, on December 29. After a protest carrying Amar's body was led by political parties, the government gave the family Rs. 4 lakh as emergency assistance. The economically destitute family is visiting the forest department office for the remaining Rs. 6 lakh. The forest department states that there are arrears of about Rs. 4 crore across 600 such applications. The forest department cites lack of availability of funds and non-submission of necessary documents from the families as the reasons.

In the last eight years, more than nine hundred people have been killed in wildlife attacks across the state. The families of most of them have not received full compensation. The family members of the victims have not received the permanent jobs promised by the government. Some families only received Rs 50,000, which is given as emergency assistance. The families of Panniyar native Parimalam (44), Coimbatore native Paul Raj (73), and Chinnakkanal BL Ram native Vellakkalil Soundararajan (68), who died in a wild elephant attack in Munnar division, received only Rs 50,000. According to the figures placed in the assembly by Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran a month ago, 909 people were killed in wild animal attacks between 2016 and 2024. 7492 people were seriously injured. Many of them are bedridden for life.

On the night of February 26, 2024, in a wild elephant attack on an autorickshaw in the Kannimala Top division, driver Suresh Kumar (46) was killed and three people, including a child, were injured. The auto passengers who got injured in this incident were Esakiraj, his wife Regina, and daughter Kuttipriya. They have not received any compensation whatsoever.

Many hurdles to get money

The heirs of those killed in wildlife attacks will be given Rs. 50,000 immediately. When a kinship certificate from the village office is presented, Rs. 4.5 lakh is allotted, and the remaining Rs. 5 lakh is allotted when an inheritance certificate is presented from the taluk office. However, it takes a long time to advertise in the gazette and complete the procedures to get the grant for the inheritance certificate. Earlier, compensation was given on the basis of the family membership certificate issued by the village office.

Increase in compensation

Currently, Rs. 10 lakh is allotted to the families of those killed in wildlife attacks and Rs. 1 lakh if ​​injured. There are plans to increase this amount by including the disaster relief fund. The forest department has submitted a proposal to the government in this regard. The cabinet will take the final decision.