KANNUR: The body of a local man was discovered on the road where a wild elephant had roamed. The deceased was found near the fish market in Ulikkal town, Kannur. The man, identified as Jose from Athrassery, is believed to have been trampled by the elephant. Jose’s internal organs were visible.

Jose left home yesterday morning. Many people had gathered to see the elephant after hearing it was in town. It’s reported that Jose was among the spectators. When fireworks were set off to scare the elephant, it panicked causing people to run. Six people were injured in the commotion. Sajeer Kallipedikayil from Manipara and Nizam Ulikkal were taken to a private hospital in Ulikkal. Three others received first aid. Educational institutions were closed yesterday, and businesses, offices and traffic were also affected.

The wild elephant came to Ulikkal town from the Karnataka Forest. Sneha Rajan, a lottery worker in Mandappaparam, was the first to spot it around 6 am. It wandered near the St. Joseph Church’s farm. Morning mass was quickly cancelled and the worshippers were sent home. Around eleven o’clock, attempts were made to drive the elephant away by setting off firecrackers. After several bursts of firecrackers, the elephant ran towards Amaravayaal via the bus stand and stopped at Vayathur. By 4 o’clock, rain interrupted the effort to chase the elephant. Crop damage occurred along the elephant’s path. The elephant returned to the forest at night, and the forest department is keeping an eye on its movements.