IDUKKI: Rogue tusker Arikomban has once again attacked a house in the 301 Colony in Chinnakkanal. A portion of the house of 301 Colony native George was destroyed by the elephant. Following this, the locals chased away the elephant. No one was present inside the house at the time of the incident. Locals have come out urging the authorities to expedite the actions to capture the elephant.

At the same time, protest is intensifying against the move to shift Arikomban to Parambikulam. Parambikulam is home to different tribes of indigenous people settled in 10 colonies which house 611 families. More than 3000 people are living in this region. Locals are opposing the move to shift Arikomban to the region 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 shifting 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.