Tensions prevailed at Pulpally in Wayanad district of Kerala on February 17 (Saturday) morning after a group of people under the aegis of an all-party action council staged a protest at the bus stand with the body of Paul of Vellachalil, an employee of the Kuruva Dweep eco-tourism centre of the Forest department who was killed in an elephant attack. The protesters raised a slew of demands, including providing a solatium of ₹50 lakh to the kin of the deceased.
Paul was trampled to death in the elephant attack while he was on duty at Cheriyamala junction, near Pakkom, on February 16 morning.
The other demands raised by the protesters included providing a permanent government job to the next of kin of the deceased, bearing the educational expenses of his daughter, writing off his bank loans and visit of a high-level official team at the site to discuss the issue.
Dawn-to-dusk hartal on
Meanwhile, the separate dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the BJP, UDF and LDF seeking a permanent solution to protect the lives and properties of the public from recurring wildlife attacks is progressing in Wayanad.
Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed. Attendance was low in government offices.
No hartal–related untoward incidents have been reported, said T. Narayanan, Superintendent of Police, Wayanad.
However, there were reports of hartal supporters obstructing vehicles on the road at Sulthan Bathery, Meenangadi, Mananthavady and Kalpetta.
The hartal supporters are also taking out protest marches in various towns in the district.
