There is mounting public anger in Athirappilly after three tribal persons were killed in two wild elephant attacks in two days. As fear grips forest-edge communities, the UDF has called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Athirappilly on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) for what they call the state government’s “criminal inaction” and “deafening silence.”

After visiting the relatives of the deceased at Chalakudy hospital on Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said that with the latest elephant attack on Monday night, the number of lives lost to wildlife attacks in the State this year alone has reached 18.

The latest victims, Satheesh and Ambika from the Sasthampooam tribal hamlet, were attacked on Monday night while collecting wild honey, near Vanchikkadavu, in the Vazhachal forest division. A day earlier, 20-year-old Sebastian from the Adichilthotty tribal settlement was killed in a similar incident at Malakkappara. The three were among several tribals camping temporarily in the forest— an age-old practice during the honey-harvesting season.

Local people suspect Manjakomban, a wild elephant known to frequent the area and believed to be in musth, is behind the attacks. Survivors say the elephants appeared suddenly and charged without warning. While some managed to flee, Satheesh and Ambika could not escape. It is also suspected that they may have jumped into a river and drowned.

Opposition slams govt.

The UDF has come out strongly against the Left government, accusing it of standing by as people are killed one after another. “The Forest Minister has done nothing but seek reports. If he can’t act, what’s the point of holding the chair?” asked Mr. Satheeshan. All major political parties are expected to support the strike.

“Every time there’s a tragedy, the Forest Minister promises a permanent solution. But nothing ever changes,” the UDF leaders alleged. “The government’s apathy has crossed every limit. Even the District Collector has not bothered to visit the site. Is this how a responsible administration functions?” they asked.

Demands for wildlife squads

The UDF has demanded the immediate deployment of special wildlife squads in elephant-prone areas, equipped to monitor animal movements and alert local communities before tragedies occur. They also called for sustainable livelihood alternatives for tribal populations who depend on forest produce, like honey, for survival.

“Simply saying that the ‘forest is the animal’s home’ no longer holds,” said Mr. Satheeshan. “Under the Forest Rights Act, tribals live and work inside forests. It is the government’s duty to ensure their safety, he asked”

A State in crisis

Over the last six years, more than a thousand people have reportedly died from wildlife attacks in Kerala, with thousands more injured. Yet, no permanent policy has been implemented to protect residents in high-risk zones.

“The government has washed its hands of the problem. When five people were killed in a single week this February, the Minister promised immediate action. But nothing happened. Not even a symbolic visit from a senior official,” said the UDF leader.

The Opposition has warned of intensifying protests across the State if the government fails to act. “The government must stop treating wildlife attacks as isolated incidents. We are facing an extraordinary crisis that needs extraordinary urgency.”

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