Leopard mauls sleeping tribal child in Malakkappara

A four-year-old boy of Veerankudi tribal settlement in Athirappilly panchayat, was attacked by a leopard early on Friday. The child, Rahul, was attacked around 2.15 a.m. by the leopard while he was sleeping with his family in a make-shift hut, covered with a plastic sheet.

The leopard reportedly dragged the child by his head. Alerted by the sound, the family shouted, forcing the leopard to leave the boy and flee to the forest. The family alerted the police, who rushed the injured child to Tata Hospital at Malakkappara for first aid, and later shifted him to Chalakudy Taluk Hospital. Rahul is currently undergoing treatment at Government Medical College Hospital, Thrissur.

District Collector Arjun Pandian visited the hospital to check the child’s condition. He told the family that specialised medical care was being provided to ensure child’s recovery.

The Veerankudi settlement is among the worst-hit areas in the 2018 floods, with families still residing in temporary huts after surging waters claimed their houses. The latest leopard attack has brought renewed focus on the safe resettlement of these families.

Land identified

According to the Collector, the resettlement process for 47 tribal families from Arekkapp and Veerankudi tribal settlements, both prone to landslides and wildlife threats, is in its final stages. The government had earlier identified land in Maraankode, under Kodassery panchayat, for their relocation.

However, due to the Forest department’s request for further environmental assessment, the relocation was temporarily halted. The Collector stated that once these procedures are completed, the long-standing displacement and safety issues of these tribal families would be permanently resolved. “We are committed to providing these families with secure housing. Once the resettlement is completed, it will mark a permanent solution to years of hardship in this region,” the Collector added.