Kerala Forest Minister orders probe into death of two tribals in suspected wild elephant attack in Athirappilly

Two tribal persons who had gone to collect forest produce were found killed in a wild elephant attack in the Athirappilly forests of this district, police said on Tuesday. Congress leader V D Satheesan criticised the government for failing to prevent such incidents from happening.

The attack is suspected to have happened by 7.30 pm on Monday and the bodies of the deceased were sent to a nearby state-run hospital on Tuesday morning, they said.

The deceased, Ambika and Satheesh, were hailing from a tribal settlement in Vazhachal near here.

"They belonged to two tribal families staying in tents erected atop a rock to collect forest produce. It is suspected that a herd of wild elephants attacked the group in the night," a police officer said.