Year 1971. I was Sub Inspector on Probation in Kulamavu Police Station, Idukki district. That time the construction work of the Idukki dam, the biggest architectural dam in Asia , was in progress. This dam was constructed along with two other dams Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. The three dams created an artificial lake of 60 sq km. This dam is on the river Periyar and the regulated water falls through a drop of 2200 feet. This dam was commissioned in the year 1975.The labour unrest was a frequent phenomenon during the dam construction.
Among various routine activities and interview of the complainants in the morning, one shabbily dressed youth was found waiting for his turn. Seeing his restlessness, he was called in and enquired. He said that his father was killed by a wild elephant the previous day evening and the body is lying in the forest. My boss sarcastically told me. “Go and get the accused arrested!!”. Once a case of unnatural death is reported in the station the police authorities should visit the spot, observe about any possible foul play, prepare the inquest (narration of the scene and body), and arrange the body for post mortem examination. It is a lengthy procedure. Anyhow myself accompanied by two junior colleagues along with the son (Raju) of the deceased proceeded to the scene of occurrence. While travelling I asked Raju about the incident and he explained that they hail from a poor family and his father makes his daily trip to the nearby bazaar exploring manual job. He did not reach home in the evening and his body was found the following morning, smashed and literally torn by a wild elephant ….the narration was enough for me.
We got out from the jeep and started walking through the forest which led to a plateau where we could see few hutments .It was a three kilometer stretch from the road. The dwellers used to leave for the market in the morning in search of some menial job and return early in the evening. Raju’s father also as usual returned home in the evening only to be chased by a wild elephant. When we reached the accident site, two natives were guarding the dead body .Pulling out the cover cloth we noticed that the animal had not done any justice to the body. Our work started but got late since two more witnesses were required. Once the formalities were completed it was 4pm and the valley grew darker. In the mean time the natives also vanished. Raju reminded the three of us that the same elephant is likely to visit the battlefield for the following 2-3 days. If we did not hurry up, it would be dangerous. We had to vacate the place immediately. Then what to do with the dead body? There was no one available for help. We then managed to build a primitive type of sedan chair (country palanquin) to carry the body to the road. By the time we finished it was almost 5pm. Luckily we got two more people to help us. They also advised us to rush since there were some signs suggesting the presence of an elephant at a distance on the hillocks. We felt our knees knocking. I cursed myself for not carrying at least a small weapon. I cursed my boss. I cursed the whole world.
Then the nightmare began!!!! We could see the cattle folk running. Raju cried out loud that the wild elephant was chasing them. We all started running, carrying the body. During dash I did not forget to get Raju’s expert opinion of any safety clause in case of an attack from behind. He hurriedly conveyed his message….. descent speedily so that the animal would not be able to chase, but it can climb faster on a mountain. Four living persons and a dead body engaged themselves in the great Marathon race. The dead body helped us to run as a team in a particular direction. When we saw the serpentine road at a distance, we decelerated. (The daily nonstop 3 KM running exercise at police Training Academy really helped me). We made sure that the Jumbo is not in the near vicinity. Yes, that was a sigh of relief!!
When a similar case reported after few days, I took the day off.
Nice one :)
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