Kalpetta: Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi visited the family of Radha, a tribal woman who was killed in a recent tiger attack in Pancharakolly. She arrived at Kannur International Airport around 11:30 am and travelled to Wayanad by road. Kalpetta MLA T Siddique accompanied her.

Radha died on January 24 after being attacked and partially devoured by a tiger while crossing a forest footpath to reach a nearby plantation where she worked.

During her one-day visit, Priyanka Gandhi also met the family of N M Vijayan, a former Congress office-bearer who died by suicide. Vijayan had reportedly taken his life due to significant debts incurred after accepting money from job seekers for positions at a Congress-controlled cooperative bank, allegedly under the instruction of Sulthan Bathery MLA IC Balakrishnan.

Following a high-level meeting with the Wayanad Collector, senior Forest Department officials, and the District Police Chief at the collectorate, she addressed the media on the pressing issue of human-animal conflict in the region. “Our priority is to protect human lives. The situation is complex, requiring a well-thought-out and practical solution,” she remarked. "Efforts will be made to address the issues faced by people in hilly areas. If the district administration submits a comprehensive report, CSR funds will be used to tackle the problems. The shortage of funds is a major issue, and this will be raised with both central and state governments, including in Parliament," she added.

She highlighted concerns shared by Radha’s family, including their feelings of insecurity and the need for additional forest watchers. “There were previously four forest watchers in the area, but now only one remains, who happens to be Radha’s husband,” she noted. More local Beat Forest Officers should be assigned to areas like Priyadarshini Estate and other forest regions, with revised service pay conditions to avoid long hours and low wages, she said.

The locals also urged the inclusion of community members in the forest watcher team, citing their familiarity with the terrain. They further raised concerns about the absence of proper fencing. She assured that these issues would be brought up in Parliament and emphasised the need for immediate action from the state government.

Additionally, the MP will address public gatherings as part of the Malayora Samara Yathra, a state-level campaign led by opposition leader V D Satheesan. She is expected to return to New Delhi later in the evening.

Left govt indifferent to hilly regions' struggles: Satheesan
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan accused the Left government of neglecting the plight of residents in the state's hilly regions on Tuesday. He raised concerns after visiting Radha’s family. Satheesan criticised the government for failing to adopt effective measures to prevent wild animal attacks and for not implementing traditional or modern methods to keep animals away from populated areas.

"Other states facing similar issues have introduced innovative ways to protect their people from wildlife, but the government has done nothing here. It has left the people to fend for themselves," Satheesan told reporters.

He emphasised the need for the state to take more proactive steps, such as increasing the number of forest staff and watchers to address the growing fear among residents. He also highlighted the ongoing efforts of UDF MPs in Parliament, who advocate for changes to wildlife laws to address current challenges better.