Nothing is more important than human life; minister is only concerned about protecting his position, says Congress

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With four people killed in wild elephant attacks within three days, KPCC President K Sudhakaran MP has demanded that the Forest Minister resign immediately or that the Chief Minister remove him from office without delay. He accused the minister of remaining helpless while wild animals pose a massive threat to the lives of high-range residents, and criticized the Chief Minister for supporting his inaction.

"Every minute this minister remains in office, the lives of high-range residents are at risk," Sudhakaran stated.

Sudhakaran further alleged that the minister is only concerned about protecting his own position. The minister’s statement that "wild animals are not entering human settlements, but rather, people are encroaching into forests" was met with sharp criticism.

"Hearing such a remark, one might wonder if it was wild animals who elected this government. We have a Forest Minister who knows absolutely nothing about forests or high-range residents. The remains of the victims of recent elephant attacks were found in plantation and agricultural areas, not inside the forest. These people did not trespass into forests, yet they became victims of wildlife attacks," he added. He also criticized the government for failing to fully distribute compensation to victims’ families, despite announcing relief payments to pacify public anger.