Idukki: Kerala's Minister for Irrigation, Roshy Augustine, said on Monday that the state government will step up measures to prevent wildlife attacks, such as installing fences. The minister visited the residence of Amar Ilahi, a 22-year-old from Mullaringadu, who was killed in a wild elephant attack on Sunday, reported PTI.

Adequate measures would be taken to prevent such incidents, he told the media. "I have asked for a detailed report on the incident from the chief wildlife warden," he added.

During Roshy Augustine's visit, residents expressed concerns about the increasing human-wildlife conflict in the region. They urged the minister to implement practical solutions, such as installing solar fences, to keep wild animals out of residential areas.

"Steps will be taken to strengthen the fencing in the region to enhance security, even after the initiative is included in the Idukki special package," the minister said.

Forest officials have also been directed to improve security in the area, he added. Forest Minister A K Saseendran announced that the government would provide Rs 10 lakh as compensation to Amar's family.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan strongly criticised the state government and the forest department, accusing them of remaining passive as wildlife attacks persist. He warned that if the government continues to neglect its duty to protect lives and property, the UDF will mobilise the public and launch a protest.

The forest department, which failed to act against wildlife encroachment, must take responsibility for the tragic death of Amar, he said. Despite repeated complaints from locals about the persistent elephant menace in the Mullaringadu area, he alleged the department had not taken any steps to dig trenches or install fencing along the forest boundary.

The government informed the assembly that 968 people lost their lives in wildlife attacks between 2016 and June 2024, he said.

The government, which has failed to take effective measures to protect citizens from wildlife attacks, is now pushing forward with the Forest Amendment Bill, granting excessive powers to forest department officials, he added.

After the postmortem, Amar's body was brought to his residence, and his funeral was held on Monday morning at the Mullaringadu Juma Masjid.

The victim, Amar Ilahi, a native of Mullaringadu, was attacked while untying his cattle at a teak plantation near the Kothamangalam forest range, just 300 metres from his home. The LDF, UDF and NDA declared a hartal in Idukki's Vannappuram panchayat and Ernakulam's Paingottoor panchayat following the incident.