Wayanad tiger attacks: 48-hour curfew imposed in Mananthavady

Wayanad: In the wake of continuous tiger attacks, a 48-hour curfew has been imposed in Division 1 (Pancharakolly), Division 2 (Pilakkavu), and Division 36 (Chirakkara) of Mananthavady Municipality starting from 6 am on January 27.

During the curfew, schools, anganwadis, madrasas, and tuition centres in these areas will remain closed. Students from these divisions enrolled in other educational institutions are not required to attend school on January 27 and 28. Authorities have advised those needing to attend PSC or other exams to contact their division councillor for arrangements. The curfew will be in effect to ensure public safety in light of the ongoing wildlife threat.

The Mananthavady Sub-Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Misal Sagar Bharat had earlier on Friday issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in four divisions of Mananthavady municipality. The restrictions prohibiting all public gatherings were applied to divisions 1 (Pancharakolly), 2 (Pilakkavu), 3 (Jessy), and 36 (Chirakara). 

The decision considered various factors, including an attack on a Rapid Response Team (RRT) member during the ongoing search operations on Sunday. 

The Minister for Forests and Wildlife Protection, AK Saseendran, had earlier in the day visited the family of Radha (45), a tribal woman from Meenmutty who was killed by a tiger at Pancharakolly, Mananthavady. The visit, however, was marred by strong protests from locals angered by the government’s delay in addressing the threat posed by the man-eater tiger in the region.