Tiger Tension: Uproar Over Predatory Threat in Mananthavady

In Mananthavady, locals protest demanding a tiger be killed after it mauled a woman to death. Despite orders to shoot if necessary, officials prioritize capturing it alive. Amid intense protests, officials stress the need for compliance with national guidelines. Protests persist as the community stands firm.

In the hill district of Mananthavady, protests erupted once more as locals demanded lethal action against a tiger responsible for the death of a 47-year-old woman. The victim, Radha, was attacked while working on the Priyadarshini Estate on Friday morning.

Community members protested outside the forest officials' basecamp after Radha's funeral, questioning why the animal was not being shot as per an order. However, forest authorities clarified that priority was to capture or tranquilize the tiger first, in line with guidelines from the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

The Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Tribes, and Backward Classes assured residents of their safety and authorized action against the tiger. As officials focused on capturing the tiger, public dissent persisted, highlighting the tension between wildlife conservation and community safety.

(With inputs from agencies.)