Day after jumbo assault kills girl, resort in Kerala’s Wayanad closed down

Express News Service
KOZHIKODE: The Wayanad district administration has ordered the closure of the resort and homestay at Elimbileri in Meppadi, the place a younger girl was killed by a wild elephant on Saturday night time. According to panchayat authorities, the resort didn’t have licence for operation and permission to arrange tents close to the forest. 

District Collector Adeela Abdulla, who inspected the Rainforest Resort together with Wayanad DFO and Vythiri tahsildar, mentioned: “The property didn’t have proper safety facilities. Also, the homestay operates in a landslide-prone area. The resort has been ordered to close down immediately. We will inspect all the nearby resorts in the coming days and take necessary actions in case of breach of law.”

Shahana Kallarapurayil (26), a local of Cheleri in Kannur, was trampled to demise by a wild elephant round 8 pm on Saturday. 

Shahana was attacked when she got here out of the tent after having meals. Two others, who had been together with her, escaped after they ran to security. Though she was rushed to a non-public medical school hospital in Meppadi, her life couldn’t be saved.

She was a visitor lecturer at Darunnujoom Arts and Science College in Perambra. Meppadi grama panchayat president Omana Ramesh mentioned from the first investigation by newly-elected panchayat council, it’s learnt that the resort didn’t have a licence. 

“The resort didn’t have the permission to set up tents as well. The resort is located near the forest and there is a wild animal threat in the region. The panchayat in collaboration with forest department will investigate more details in the case,” mentioned Meppadi grama panchayat president Omana Ramesh.

According to a police officer, there have been 30 vacationers within the resort, together with these staying within the tents, on the time of the incident. “The victim, her cousin and a friend came for a one-day stay in the resort. According to the duo, they were sitting in front of the tent when the elephant suddenly attacked them. While they had a narrow escape, the elephant crushed Shahana to death. The property is surrounded by dense forest. The other tourists shouted and cried loud and the elephant returned to forest soon after the attack,” the officer mentioned.

No licence

From the first probe by the panchayat council, it’s learnt that the resort didn’t have a licence.