Kothamangalam: The Kerala government has extended financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the family of Kodiyattu Eldhose, a 45-year-old man who tragically lost his life in a wild elephant attack at Urulanthanni, Kothamangalam. Ernakulam District Collector NSK Umersh personally handed over the cheque to Eldhose’s family following a prolonged public protest that lasted six hours. The fatal incident occurred on Monday evening as Eldhose was returning home from work.
Angered by the incident, locals protested with Eldhose’s body, accusing the forest department of negligence in addressing the escalating threat of wild animal attacks in the region. Protesters blocked law enforcement from transporting the body to the hospital, demanding immediate action. Officials, including the district collector, assured protesters of several preventive measures, such as constructing trenches, installing fences, and setting up streetlights within five days. A follow-up meeting to evaluate the progress of these measures is scheduled for December 27.
The incident has highlighted the urgent need for better wildlife management in Kothamangalam, a region that has recently witnessed two deaths due to elephant attacks. Just three days prior, a female engineering student, Ann Mary C.V., was killed when an uprooted palm tree, dislodged by an elephant, struck her two-wheeler. In light of these tragedies, a hartal has been called in Kothamangalam and Kuttampuzha, with a Congress-led protest march scheduled for the same day. The community continues to demand stronger safety measures to prevent further loss of life.
