WAYANAD, KERALA – Following a series of violent clashes over man-animal conflicts in Wayanad, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has made his way back to his constituency after a district-wide strike turned hostile. The clashes were sparked by the death of a man at the hands of a wild elephant near Kuruva island, leading to widespread protests demanding a resolution to the ongoing issue.
Gandhi, who was in Uttar Pradesh for his ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, is returning to Wayanad to address the growing tensions and will resume his journey from Uttar Pradesh at a later date. The strike in Wayanad, a response to the recent elephant attack, led to residents damaging a forest department vehicle and causing all shops to close, bringing the area to a standstill.
The Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has intervened, directing concerned ministers to hold a high-level meeting to address the recurring conflicts between humans and animals in Wayanad. The meeting, set to take place on February 20, will involve the Revenue, Forest, and Local Self Government Department (LSGD) ministers, highlighting the government’s commitment to finding a solution to the ongoing crisis.
These recent clashes are not isolated incidents, with a 42-year-old man being trampled to death by a wild elephant in the Mananthavady area, prompting even more protests. The escalating tensions between humans and animals in Wayanad have not gone unnoticed, with residents and officials alike calling for tangible and permanent solutions to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in the region.
As Gandhi returns to Wayanad, the spotlight remains on finding a balanced and sustainable resolution to the escalating man-animal conflicts, as the stakeholders work towards a lasting and peaceful coexistence in the region.