Tribal woman killed in wild elephant attack in Idukki

PEERUMEDU: A tribal woman who had gone to collect forest resources with her family was killed in an elephant attack. The deceased has been identified as Seetha (42) of Plakkathadam. Her husband Biju (48) sustained injuries in the incident, which occurred around noon yesterday.

The family was residing in a rehabilitation centre allotted at Thottappura under Peerumedu Panchayat. Seetha, along with her husband Biju — a temporary forest watcher — and their sons Sajumon and Ajimon, had gone to Meemutti forest in the morning to collect pine flowers, a forest resource. There, a wild elephant attacked Seetha and Biju. The children escaped without injuries.

Following the incident, the children informed their relatives, who then alerted forest officials. Seetha and Biju were brought by ambulance from the taluk hospital, but Seetha succumbed to her injuries.

Upon hearing of the incident, Peerumedu Panchayat President R. Dineshan visited the hospital and announced that a compensation of Rs 5 lakh would be provided to the family.