Indian women’s cricketer Minnu Mani is grappling with a devastating personal loss as her aunt, Radha, was killed in a tragic tiger attack on January 24, 2025, in Wayanad, Kerala.
Minnu Mani endures heartbreaking family loss
According to the multiple media reports, Radha, the wife of a temporary watchman with the Kerala Forest Department, was picking coffee beans early in the morning at the Priyadarshini Estate when the attack occurred. She was dragged away by the tiger, and her body was discovered hours later by the Kerala police’s Thunderbolt commando force. Minnu, deeply shaken by the incident, took to social media to share her grief.
In an emotional post on Facebook, she pleaded with the authorities to capture the man-eater tiger to ensure the safety of the local residents. The cricketer’s heartfelt appeal has amplified the growing concerns about human-wildlife conflict in the region, which continues to pose a serious threat to the community.
“This is extremely shocking news that I just came across. The person who lost their life in…in the tiger attack in Pancharakolly, Wayanad, is my uncle’s wife. I hope the authorities will……capture the aggressive tiger as soon as possible and ensure the safety of the lives and property of the people in the area. May her soul rest in peace,” Minu wrote.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi expresses heartfelt condolences
Following the news of Radha’s tragic death, Wayanad Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi extended her deepest condolences to the bereaved family. The Congress leader highlighted the escalating dangers posed by wild animals in the region and stressed the urgent need for long-term, sustainable solutions to mitigate man-animal conflict.
In a post on X, Priyanka called for a comprehensive approach that balances wildlife conservation with the safety of local communities. Her empathetic message underscored the gravity of the situation, echoing the concerns of locals who have been living in constant fear of such attacks.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Smt. Radha, who was killed by a tiger while harvesting coffee in Pancharakolly, Mananthavady. My heartfelt condolences to her family. There is an immediate need for sustainable solutions to address this pressing issue,” Wayanad MP Priyanka wrote.
I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Smt. Radha, who was killed by a tiger while harvesting coffee in Pancharakolly, Mananthavady. My heartfelt condolences to her family.
There is an immediate need for sustainable solutions to address this pressing issue.
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) January 24, 2025
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Government’s swift response: Compensation and plans to deal with the looming problem
In the wake of the tragic tiger attack, local protests erupted, demanding immediate action to prevent further human-wildlife conflicts. The protests intensified as Radha’s family and the community sought justice and assurances from the authorities. The reports further stated that Kerala’s Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes, OR Kelu, responded to the growing unrest by visiting the site and announcing the government’s decision to capture or kill the tiger responsible for the attack.
A compensation package of INR 11 lakh was swiftly announced for Radha’s family, with INR 5 lakh to be paid immediately to support them in their time of grief. Despite this, the tragedy has highlighted the urgent need for more effective measures to address the dangers posed by tigers and other wildlife in human-dominated areas. Authorities are now under increasing pressure to find a permanent solution to this escalating issue.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.