Nilambur’s newly elected MLA Aryadan Shoukath (in the middle) and Fire and Rescue Services personnel taking the body of elephant attack victim Billy back to Vaniyampuzha hamlet in a dinghy through the swollen Chaliyar river off Munderi on Thursday afternoon.
| Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN
The death of a tribesman in an elephant attack at Vaniyampuzha hamlet off Munderi in Pothukal panchayat near Nilambur on Wednesday evening laid bare the harsh realities of misery in which dozens of tribal families have been living across the Chaliyar river.
No help could reach the tribesman, Billy, for hours after he became the target of a wild elephant as there was no bridge to cross the river. The Fire and Rescue Services aid team’s attempts to reach out to the victim failed as their dinghy was swept away in the strong currents, leaving a group of rescuers stranded and unable to reach the victim for hours.
The stranded firemen were rescued late at night after higher authorities intervened. Billy’s body could only be retrieved and shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital at Manjeri on Thursday morning. After the postmortem, the body was brought back to Vaniyampuzha in the afternoon.
Aryadan Shoukath, the newly elected MLA of Nilambur, faced a harrowing experience while accompanying Billy’s body. His dinghy engine failed, stranding him and a few others on the wooded island off Munderi. They were rescued in the evening by a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team dispatched by District Collector V.R. Vinod.
Efforts on to rescue the stranded Fire and Rescue personnel on Wednesday night.
| Photo Credit:
SAKEER HUSSAIN
Apart from Mr. Shoukath, Pothukal sub-inspector Mohandas and a few forest officers found themselves stranded across the swollen Chaliyar river. The strong currents that posed a challenge to their rescue efforts were a constant reality for the tribal communities living in the area.
The ordeal on the island gave Mr. Shoukath and the stranded officials a stark insight into the struggles of the tribal families, especially during the monsoon. As they waited for rescue, the pressing need for a bridge and support systems to ensure safety and accessibility for the tribal hamlets became glaringly evident.
Rescue personnel carrying the body of Billy from Vaniyampuzha on Thursday morning.
| Photo Credit:
SAKEER HUSSAIN
The plight of the Vaniyampuzha tribal families remains dire. Since the 2019 floods destroyed their homes and bridges, they have been living in makeshift tarpaulin shelters amidst elephant-infested forests. Their only lifeline, a bamboo raft, becomes perilous during monsoon when the river swells. The government’s bridge construction project remains incomplete. They are virtually marooned during the rainy season.
Despite the High Court’s intervention, which led to some basic amenities like a temporary toilet and a well, the tribal families of Vaniyampuzha continue to live in pathetic conditions. They constantly face the threat of wild animals and harsh elements. Their situation demands urgent attention and support to ensure their safety and well-being.
Published – June 27, 2025 08:46 am IST
