PALAKKAD: The Kerala High Court decision to shift rice-eating tusker ‘Arikomban’, from Chinnakanal to Parambikulam has invited massive public protest. Nenmara MLA K Babu will attend the public protest scheduled at Anappady this morning.

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is home to different tribes of indigenous people settled in 10 colonies which house 611 families comprising 3000 tribal residents. Locals voiced concern regarding the shifting of Arikomban saying that rogue elephant attacks are quite common in the region and the arrival of Arikomban will make their life hell.

Nenmara MLA K Babu has written to CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Forest Minister AK Saseendran against the rehabilitation of Arikomban to Parambikulam. The MLA, in his letter, pointed out the threat posed by Arikomban to the human settlements in the region.

The High Court order came on a PIL filed by ‘People for Animals’, an animal rights group questioning the move of the forest department to capture the rogue elephant. The court agreed to the recommendations of the five-member expert committee while pronouncing the verdict.