Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi criticises Rahul Gandhi for promoting unregulated tourism
Kalpatta: The Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi has expressed strong disapproval of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who they referred to as the ‘last hope of Indian democracy,’ for allegedly emerging as a brand ambassador of unregulated and illegal tourism in Wayanad. The committee accused Gandhi, along with Minister P.A. Mohammad Riaz and MLA T. Siddique, of promoting tourism projects that are causing severe environmental damage and undermining the livelihoods of farmers and tribals in the district.
In a statement, the committee emphasised that unregulated tourism activities have led to widespread destruction of the Western Ghats and have endangered the district's ecological balance. They argued that the political leaders have failed to address the concerns of farmers and tribal communities, who constitute 80% of Wayanad’s population.
Committee President N. Badusha highlighted that illegal resorts and night-time activities in forest areas have disrupted wildlife habitats and caused landslides in areas like Mundakai and Chooralmala. He called for a reassessment of the tourism policy in Wayanad, urging the implementation of eco-friendly and sustainable tourism practices instead of the current profit-driven model.
The committee criticised Rahul Gandhi, Riaz, and Siddique for not standing by the people during times of natural calamities and instead supporting ventures that primarily benefit a small group of elites. The statement concluded by stressing the need for self-regulation among political leaders and tourism promoters to protect Wayanad’s fragile ecosystem.
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Jharkhand horror: Man kills live-in partner, chops body into 40 pieces
Ranchi (PTI): A 25-year-old man, who works as a butcher, allegedly strangled to death his live-in partner and chopped her body into 40 to 50 pieces in a forested area in Jharkhand’s Khunti district, police said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Naresh Bhengra, was arrested.
The matter came to light after around a fortnight after the killing when a stray dog was found with human body parts near Jordag village in Jariagarh police station on November 24.
Bhengra was in a live-in relationship with the deceased, a 24-year-old woman also from Khunti district, in Tamil Nadu for the past couple of years. Sometime back, he returned to Jharkhand, got married to another woman without telling his partner anything and went back to the southern state without his wife to join her.
"The brutal incident occurred on November 8 when they reached Khunti as the accused who had married another woman did not wish to take her home. Instead, he took her to a forest near his house at Jordag village in Jariagarh police station and chopped the body into pieces. The man has been arrested," Khunti Superintendent of Police Aman Kumar told PTI.
Inspector Ashok Singh who investigated the case said the man worked in a butcher shop in Tamil Nadu and was expert in slicing chicken.
“He admitted chopping the body parts of the woman into 40 to 50 pieces before leaving those in the forest for wild animals to feast on. The police recovered several parts on November 24 after a dog in the area was seen with a hand," Singh told PTI.
Singh said that the woman, who was unaware of his marriage, pressured him to return to Khunti. After reaching Ranchi, they boarded a train on November 24 and headed to the man's village.
"Under a plan, the man took her to Khunti in an autorickshaw near his home and asked her to wait. He returned with sharp weapons and strangulated her with her dupatta after raping her. He then cut the body into 40 to 50 pieces and left for his home to live with his wife," Singh said.
The woman, however, had informed her mother that she had boarded a train and would be living with her partner, the police officer said.
Following the recovery of body parts, a bag was also found in the forest with the murdered woman's belongings including her Aadhaar card. The mother of the woman was called at the spot and she identified her daughter's belongings.
"The mother suspected the man behind the crime who after being nabbed by the police admitted to chopping the woman into pieces," the official added.
The incident has sent shockwaves among people in the region, with the Shraddha Walker murder case of 2022 still fresh in their memory.
Walker was killed by her live-in partner who chopped her body into pieces before dumping them in the jungle in South Delhi’s Mehrauli.
