KURUVADWEEP (WAYANAD): While the forest department team was stationed with all preparations to catch the wild elephant that killed Ajeesh who was a resident of Padamala, a forest watcher was killed in the attack of another wild elephant. Pakkom Vellachalil VP Paul (50) was the victim of the tragedy.

A wild elephant killed Paul in Kuruvadweep, which is a part of eco-tourism when a forest department task force of around 200 people entered the forest at Panavalla in Thirunelly panchayat to catch Belur Magna that killed Ajeesh.

As the killer elephant was in the vicinity, Paul was standing on the forest path to send back those coming to Kuruvadweep. Five elephants including a baby elephant came through that path. One of the elephants chased Paul and stomped him. The herd of wild elephants went back to the forest when the MGNREGA labourer women screamed and made noise.

The incident took place on the forest road near Kuruvadweep on Pakkom Chekadi Road at around 9:30 today morning. Kuruvadweep is 600 meters away. Paul was immediately rushed to the Govt Medical College, Mananthavadi and underwent surgery. His ribs and spine were broken. He was referred to Kozhikode Medical College since his internal bleeding did not stop. The air ambulance that came from Coimbatore had no facilities to carry the patient. This led to protests.

An ambulance van with an ICU system left Mananthavadi with Paul at 12:58 pm. Two doctors followed. The ambulance reached Kozhikode Medical College at 2:55 pm. Emergency treatment was given but Paul died at 3:25pm. His wife is Sani. Their only daughter Sona Pulpally is a 10th standard student of Vijaya Higher Secondary School.

LDF and UDF have announced a hartal from 6 am to 6 pm in Wayanad tomorrow in the wake of ongoing wild elephant attacks.