Congress leader and Lok Sabha member from Wayanad district in Kerala, Rahul Gandhi, reportedly listened to a litany of grievances about the State government’s alleged failure to mitigate human-wildlife conflict as he paid a whirlwind visit to families who lost their breadwinners to fatal wild animal attacks in the hilly district early on February 18.
Mr. Gandhi had taken a break from the Uttar Pradesh leg of his Nyay Yatra to visit his constituency, which had seen belligerent street protests on February 17 against the Forest Department’s alleged failure to insulate the local population from wildlife attacks.
Some parts of Wayanad were currently under curfew after the District Magistrate issued prohibitory orders to prevent public anger from spiralling out of control.
