Malappuram: The death of 15-year-old Ananthu, who was electrocuted by a fence set up to trap wild boars, has kicked up a political storm in Nilambur. Kerala Forest Minister A K Saseendran has alleged a political conspiracy behind the death of Ananthu. He suggested that the incident may have been deliberately orchestrated to stir public emotion and revive a lacklustre byelection campaign in the constituency.

"Yesterday's incident is tragic and painful. But unfortunately, the UDF and BJP are trying to exploit it as a failure of the Forest Department and the government, using it to stage protests," he said. "The Forest Department no longer installs electric fencing. Residents claim there was no fencing in the morning, but it appeared by evening. Even the landowner is unaware of it. So, who set it up, how, and for what purpose? There's a strong suspicion of a political conspiracy, and we will investigate all angles."

The minister added that the opposition and some media outlets were quick to blame the government without waiting for facts. "In Kerala, there's a tendency to assume that if Keechaka dies, then Bheema must have killed him. That mindset must change," he remarked.

Saseendran further said that the timing of the incident raises doubts. "It is election season, and we know who stands to benefit. There is a suspicion that the issue was created to trigger an emotional response from the farming community and turn it against the government. Even before people of Nilambur were fully aware of the incident, a UDF protest was held in Malappuram. How did that happen?"

"If this is indeed a political conspiracy, the Left Front will expose it fully and bring the truth before the people," he added. 

CPM State Secretary M V Govindan also alleged that the incident might be a deliberate ploy to influence the upcoming byelection. He accused the UDF of using the incident for political gain and called for a probe into possible conspiracy, including examining the accused’s phone records. He also noted that the incident occurred in the ward of a panchayat vice-president linked to UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath. Emphasising that the act was criminal and not connected to farmers, he urged against dragging the farming community into the issue.

Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition V D Satheeshan slammed Saseendran, saying that he was making a “nasty” allegation to cover his inability to control the rampant wildlife attacks in populated areas. Satheesan came down heavily on CPM state secretary M V Govindan too for supporting the minister’s conspiracy charge aimed at the opposition Congress-led UDF. 

“The death of the boy is such an unfortunate incident. The minister who has been inactive on the human-wildlife conflict and let the people of forest areas to their fate has come out with a heinous conspiracy allegation. He is not eligible to continue as a minister even for a minute. How can he make a comment linking the incident to the election campaign? He should withdraw it immediately,” Satheesan said. 

“Are they suggesting the UDF killed the kid for election gains?” he asked. Satheesan said the people living in forest areas have been setting traps to escape wildlife raids since the government has failed to contain the menace. “The forest department has not been releasing funds for preventive measures such as erecting fences, digging trenches, and building protection walls. People are scared and resorting to their own measures,” he said. On the allegation that the UDF launched a protest in the area as soon as the death happened, Satheesan said it was quite natural for people to respond to such issues.