Hartal in protest against wildlife attacks total in Athirappilly

Police retired the protesters who organized a road block in Ahirappilly on Wednesday, as part of the Hartal called by a group in protest against the increase in wildlife incursions in the area. | Photo credit: KK Najeb

A Hartal in Athirappilly called by Janakeeya Samithi and several political parties, demanding a lasting solution to the incidents incidents of wildlife attacks against people and properties along the forest stripes, the complete area was stopped on Wednesday.

The Hartal was called after the death of three tribes with a period of 48 hours in Athirappilly. Satesh and Ambika, from the tribal village of Sasthampovam, were fatally attacked by a wild elephant on Monday night while gathering wild honey near Vanchikkadavu in the Division of the Vazhahal forest. Just a day before, Sebastian, 20, of the Adichilthotty settlement lost his life in a similar incident in Malakkelwachta. The three were among several courts camping temporarily in the forest, a duration of the age practice.

The stores remained closed and public and private transport stopped throughout the region. In Vettilapara, hundreds of protesters blocked the way. The protest was formally inaugurated by Athirappilly Panchayat, KK Rijesh. Police then intervene to disperse the crowd, stopping several protesters. The cases have been registered against 10 people in relation to the protest.