Thiruvananthapuram : The court verdict, with regard to rehabilitating Arikomban, shall not be violated, said Forest Minister AK Saseendran. Directions have been issued to find new location; the Forest dept will submit its report on this tomorrow, the minister added.
The Supreme Court yesterday had pronounced its verdict on Arikomban. The Bench headed by Chief justice of India had considered Kerala govt plea seeking to Stay High Court ruling. The apex Bench asserted it will not interfere with the HC verdict, adding that, the opinion was that of the expert committee and one that was reasonable.
The Kerala High Court in its verdict asked the State government to find natural surroundings in where to relocate Arikomban.
Backdrop : Since 2005, 34 people have been killed by elephants in the Chinnakanal-Shanthanpara area, where man-wildlife conflict occurs owing to human settlement existing inside the reserve. Of the victims, seven are said to have been killed by tusker Aricomban. Arikomban r is also blamed for wrecking 31 buildings With people getting panicky and raising protest, the Forest dept prepared to capture Arikomban and take him away to one of its jumbo training centres. As whisking away elephants in this manner became all too often, the High Court intervened and asked for the elephant to be released back into the wild elsewhere.
