WAYANAD: The body of tribal housewife Radha (45), killed by a man-eating tiger in Pancharakolly, was cremated on Saturday. Minister OR Kelu and others participated in the final rites ceremony. Many locals came in droves to pay their last respects to Radha. The body which was kept at Mnaanthavady government hospital was handed over to her relatives on Saturday morning.

Radha, wife of Achappan, a temporary Watcher of the Forest Department in Pancharakolly, was mauled to death by a man-eater tiger the other day. Her head was found severed in the brutal attack. The body was also half-eaten by the beast. On the day of the incident, Radha went to pick up coffee leaves from a plantation nearby. Her husband Achappan dropped her off by 8 am on his scooter. At 11.15 am, the Thunder Bolt team searching for Maoists in the forest area, found her body 150 meters away from the boundary of the plantation.

Meanwhile, the search for the man-eating tiger continues. The government had issued an order to shoot the tiger. The locals meanwhile blocked Minister O R Kelu who visited the spot. After contacting the Forest Minister, an order was issued to shoot the tiger. Prohibitory orders have been announced in four divisions of the place. The UDF has announced a hartal in Mananthavady today.