Ochu Thevar
Idukki : A 62-year-old man was killed in a wild elephant attack at Thalakkulam Estate in Pooppara, Idukki, on Thursday morning. The deceased was Ochu Thevar, a native of Bodinayakkanur in Tamil Nadu. Thevar was reportedly overseeing his daughter’s plantation. The elephant attacked him as he entered the estate, leaving him critically injured. Dense mist in the area is believed to have prevented him from noticing the wild elephant standing inside the plantation.
Govt agreed to provide Rs 10 lakh as financial assistance to the family of the deceased. Of the total compensation, Rs 5 lakh will be handed over immediately. Under the arrangement, Rs 4 lakh will be provided by the revenue department, while the remaining amount will be paid by the forest department.
The highway blockade was withdrawn after the compensation was announced. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news. The death triggered strong protests, with CPM workers blocking the Kochi-Dhanushkodi national highway. Protesters accused the forest department of failing to ensure the safety of people despite the continued presence of wild elephants in the region. They also demanded immediate and adequate compensation for the victim’s family. They alleged that the body was shifted to Theni Medical College without the consent of the relatives. Following discussions with Senapathy Venu, MLA, a settlement was reached and the protest was called off. Download the TOI App.
Workers and locals rushed to the spot after hearing the commotion. They found Thevar lying seriously injured and shifted him to a hospital. However, he died while undergoing treatment.