Wayanad: After a sit-in protest with Paul's mortal remains lasting hours, his body was finally taken to his home at Pakkam about 3 km from Pulppally by 1.30 pm on Saturday.
The government sanctioned an amount of Rs 10 lakh as emergency aid to Paul's family after his relatives refused to conduct his funeral rites until a solution was found.
Paul (52), a temporary guide at Kuruva Island Eco-tourism centre, was trampled to death by a wild elephant on Friday. Just a week ago, another local resident Ajeesh met a tragic end when he was attacked by a wild elephant in his backyard in Padamala Panachi.
An all-party meeting has decided to recommend the state government to give Rs 50 lakh compensation to the family of Paul. Other recommendations include an amount of Rs 11 lakh emergency aid for the family, a take over of Paul's debt by the State and job for the kin. The state government would also take over all the educational needs of Sona, daughter of Paul.
Hartal day
The united hartal observed across Wayanad in response to the recent fatal wild animal attacks in the district turned violent on Saturday. While protesters agitated with the latest elephant attack victim's mortal remains at one corner of Pulppally, another group protested with the remains of a cow killed by a wild animal. Paul's body was taken home only after the intervention of some priests and leaders of political parties.
The crowd also charged at Kalpetta MLA T Siddique and Sulthan Bathery MLA I C Balakrishnan who arrived at the site for mediation talks. The police had to resort to lathi-charge at agitators to disperse the crowd.
A group of agitators also blocked the vehicle of the Forest Department during the protest. They punctured the jeep and placed a wreath on the vehicle in protest. Protesters are agitating with the remains of a cow which was killed by a wild animal in the district.
Political parties from all fronts - UDF, LDF, and BJP - had come together following the death of two individuals in wild elephant attacks last week. Public transport was at a standstill and businesses remained shuttered in the district on the hartal day. Roadblocks were also reported at Churam, Lakiti, Mananthavady, and Kattikulam.
