The heartbreaking electrocution of a 15-year-old boy, Ananthu (nicknamed Jithu), from an illegal wild boar trap at Vazhikkadavu near Nilambur in Kerala’s Malappuram district has sparked widespread protests and accusations amidst the ongoing campaign for the Nilambur Assembly by-election set for June 19.

Jithu, a Class 10 student, tragically lost his life after encountering a live electric fence illegally installed to catch wild boars. He and his friends had gone to a stream following a game of football. While passing through private land, three boys came into contact with a live wire allegedly laid by the owner to kill wild boars. Jithu died instantly, while two others, Yadhu Krishnan and Sachu, sustained injuries—Sachu is currently in critical condition. The fourth friend managed to escape and alerted locals.

In response, police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Two suspects, Vineesh and Kunjumuhammed, from Vazhikkadavu, have been arrested. Reports indicate the electric trap was set up for hunting boars for meat.

This incident has led to public outrage and heated political exchanges ahead of the upcoming by-election. The Congress-led UDF accused the ruling CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) of negligence and complicity, with UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath labeling the event “government-sponsored murder.” He stated, “This isn’t merely an accident. The public is laying electric traps with the tacit approval of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). Their failure to monitor power misuse isn’t just negligence—it’s criminal.”

Following Jithu’s death, Congress and Muslim League supporters held a road blockade in protest, resulting in clashes with police who arrested and dispersed the demonstrators.

LDF candidate M Swaraj responded to Shoukath’s claims, expressing dismay over the politicization of this tragedy: “It is unfortunate that a tragic death is being used for political ends.”

Forest Minister A K Saseendran described the incident as devastating but expressed concerns about the political agenda behind the protests. He denied any involvement from the Forest Department or KSEB, stating, “Neither organization employs live electric fencing, which is strictly illegal. Attempts to implicate the Forest Department are unfounded and politically driven.”

He further remarked that both the UDF and BJP appear to exploit this incident as a failure of the Forest Department and the government. “It’s troubling that protests began even before locals fully understood the situation. The immediate labeling of it as government-sponsored murder raises suspicions. This was a private act, not the responsibility of the Forest Department or the government,” Saseendran said.

CPI-M state Secretary M V Govindan also suggested that the incident might be a strategy to sway the upcoming by-election. He accused the UDF of leveraging the tragedy for political advantage and called for a thorough investigation into potential conspiracies, including reviewing the accused’s phone records.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan criticized Forest Minister Saseendran, accusing him of making “despicable” allegations to cover his own shortcomings in managing wildlife issues in populated areas. He also criticized CPI-M state secretary M V Govindan for endorsing the conspiracy claims against the UDF.

Meanwhile, KSEB issued a statement clarifying that the tragic accident resulted from illegal electric wiring set up by private individuals. “The incident in Vazhikkadavu, which led to the electrocution of three children and one death, was the result of unauthorized tapping from a KSEB single-phase line. Wires, some lacking proper insulation, were extended using makeshift tools, leading to the unfortunate encounter,” the statement read.