A wild elephant attack in Aralam Farm, Kannur district, claimed the lives of an elderly tribal couple, sparking widespread protests against the authorities' failure to address human-wildlife conflicts. The victims, identified as Velliyadan and Leela, were fatally attacked around noon on Sunday while returning home after collecting cashew nuts in Block 13. The elephant, reportedly hiding behind their house, trampled them to death on the spot.  

The incident triggered intense protests by local residents, who blocked the ambulance carrying the victims' bodies near their house. Protestors demanded immediate action and refused to allow the bodies to be taken home until Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran arrived at the scene. They also obstructed the movement of CPM Kannur district secretary M.V. Jayarajan and other political leaders who attempted to visit the area.  

Following the protests, the state government announced a compensation of ₹20 lakh for the victims’ family, with the first installment set to be disbursed on Monday. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called a high-level meeting on February 27 at the secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram to review measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. The meeting will be attended by ministers from key departments, including forest, finance, local self-government, revenue, and health, along with senior officials.  

Aralam Farm, a designated tribal resettlement area, has witnessed frequent wildlife incursions, with nearly 20 deaths attributed to wild elephant attacks. Residents have long demanded stronger preventive measures, including enhanced monitoring and infrastructure to protect their lives and livelihoods. The latest tragedy has reignited concerns over the effectiveness of existing policies and the need for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of life.