Congress leader Rahul Gandhi abruptly suspended his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on Saturday in Varanasi and swiftly departed for his Lok Sabha constituency in Wayanad, Kerala. The unexpected move comes amidst escalating tensions surrounding the persistent man-animal conflicts in the region.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, emphasized the urgent need for Rahul Gandhi’s presence in Wayanad, where a hartal organized by the ruling LDF, opposition UDF, and BJP took a violent turn in Pulpally. The hartal, aimed at addressing the ongoing man-animal conflicts, witnessed clashes and unrest, prompting Gandhi’s immediate attention.
“The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will resume at 3PM tomorrow, February 18th, at Prayagraj,” stated Ramesh, highlighting the resumption of Gandhi’s nationwide outreach program.
Gandhi’s visit to Wayanad follows a tragic incident where a man, Paul, succumbed to serious injuries sustained in a wild elephant attack. Paul, an eco-tourism guide stationed at Kuruva Island, fell victim to the escalating conflict between humans and wildlife in the region, further fueling the demand for permanent solutions.
The recent spate of wild elephant attacks, including the tragic death of Aji last week, has galvanized public outcry and triggered massive protests across Wayanad. The district-wide hartal aimed to draw attention to the pressing need for sustainable resolutions to mitigate such conflicts.
However, the hartal took a violent turn in Pulpally, with protesters damaging a forest department vehicle and symbolically tying a cow, victim to a suspected tiger attack, atop the vehicle. The incident underscores the heightened tensions and urgency for effective measures to address the escalating man-animal conflicts in Wayanad.
As Rahul Gandhi redirects his focus to Wayanad, the region grapples with the aftermath of violent clashes and the pressing need for sustainable solutions to ensure the safety and well-being of both humans and wildlife.
Sources By Agencies
