Crocodile attack: victim's body recovered

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUG. 17. The body of the 56-year-old V. James alias V. Sukumaran Nadar, who fell victim to a crocodile in the Neyyar Dam reservoir in the wee hours of Thursday, was recovered from the Puttukalu locality at 12.45 noon today.

The body surfaced in the middle of the reservoir even as the police and Forest officials were carrying out search operations.

``The right elbow was detached and only the skin held it to the body. Otherwise, there were no external injuries,'' a Forest official said.

The body was taken to the Medical College Hospital for post- mortem and buried at James' house near Mayilakkara near Kallikad in the evening. He is survived by three daughters.

The Forest department has announced a financial assistance of Rs. 20,000 to the next of kin of the deceased.

Tense moments were witnessed on the banks of the reservoir after a few locals got agitated over the `apathy' of the authorities to fish out the body. The local legislator, Mr. Thampanoor Ravi, who reached the spot in the morning, had to return following a protest. Forest sources said the Naval authorities had refused to send divers saying that they did not have the expertise to venture into waters swarmed with muggers.

The carcass of the crocodile that was shot by the police on Thursday was removed in a boat to the forest office near the crocodile farm. A post-mortem was conducted by the veterinary doctor, Dr. Easwar, and Mr. J.R. Ani, Assistant Wildlife Warden.

The carcass was burnt on the adjoining premises around 7 p.m.

Mr. Ravi has urged the Chief Minister, Mr. A.K. Antony, to take urgent steps to end the mugger menace in the Neyyar dam reservoir locality.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, he sought a high-level meeting of Forest, Irrigation and Revenue Ministers to solve the issue. He demanded supply of drinking water, compensation to crocodile victims and construction of bathing ghats.

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Section  : Southern States
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