KSHRC directs Munnar DFO to conduct study on wild animal attacks in Chinnakkanal

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The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has directed the Munnar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) to conduct an immediate inquiry into a recent wild elephant attack that claimed the life of a 36-year-old woman and injured her 11-year-old son at Chinnakkanal on Monday morning.

Commission Chairperson Alexander Thomas issued the order after taking suo motu case of the incident. Mari, a resident of Singukandam, was attacked by a wild elephant in Chinnakkanal on Monday morning while taking her children, Rekshan and Rekshitha, to school. Mari was killed in the attack, while her son sustained injuries, and her daughter narrowly escaped.

In its order, the commission directed the DFO to investigate wild elephant attacks in Chinnakkanal over the last three years to determine if the animals are stranded in the area due to a lack of access to migratory corridors. The commission also sought remedial measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Furthermore, the commission directed authorities to provide compensation to the legal heirs of the deceased, ensuring the funds are distributed to her children in accordance with the rules for wild animal attack compensation. The DFO has been ordered to submit a detailed report within three weeks.

The commission also directed the Idukki District Collector—in coordination with the DFO, the District Scheduled Tribe Development Officer, the District Social Justice Development Officer, and educational authorities—to assess whether the children can be admitted to boarding schools run by the Tribal Department or other aided schools.

As both parents are deceased, the Collector must also establish a mechanism to ensure the compensation funds are utilised efficiently for the welfare and benefit of the children and are not misused. The District Collector is required to submit a report within three weeks, it said.

The commission further directed that the Range Forest Officer (RFO), representing the Munnar DFO, and a senior officer representing th