Thiruvananthapuram (IANS) | Two people were killed in a wild buffalo attack at Erumeli in Kerala’s Kottayam district. Chakochen was busy reading the newspaper at his home on Friday when a wild buffalo attacked him and he died on the spot. His friend Thomas, who lived next door to Chakochen, was also attacked by the buffalo, and succumbed to his injuries at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital.
Angered by the attack and the deaths, the local people gathered in large numbers and accused the forest officials of negligence in dealing with the menace.
Angry protesters blocked the main road.
An angry local man said, “The way people live peacefully in towns and cities, we too have the right to live peacefully.” Our ancestors used to ensure that there was enough food for wild animals, such a system is no longer there and hence wild animals stray into human settlements.
The Congress MP from the area, Anto Antony, said, “It is a sad situation as no action is being taken by the authorities for the real problems.”
Antony said, two lives have been lost and if there is no value for human life, then what is the use of the government? Steps should be taken to deal with this menace and the wild animal should be shot.
Incidentally, a similar incident was reported in Thrissur when a wild buffalo had strayed into a field, but no untoward incident occurred, as the wild buffalo was chased away.
Human-animal conflict has recently increased in Kerala, especially in areas bordering forests, and has led to protests by local people.
–IANS
