Allegations thrown around ahead of upcoming bypolls in the region

The incident has sparked widespread outrage and political mudslinging ahead of the Nilambur by-election.

Forest Minister A K Saseendran described the event as heart-wrenching but raised suspicions about the political motives behind the protests.

“It is disturbing that demonstrations erupted even before locals fully grasped what happened. This raises the possibility of deliberate political staging,” he said.

The Minister also questioned how the electric fence appeared within a matter of hours, suggesting it was installed recently under suspicious circumstances.

He denied any involvement by the Forest Department or the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), stating, “Neither agency uses live electric fencing, and such setups are strictly illegal. Attempts to blame the Forest Department are baseless and politically motivated.”

However, Nilambur UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath launched a fierce statement, calling Jithu’s death a “state-endorsed murder.”

He accused KSEB of indirect complicity, claiming that the electric fencing was directly connected to an official power line.

“KSEB’s failure to monitor misuse of its supply is not just negligence—it’s criminal,” he alleged. Shoukath warned of large-scale protests if justice was delayed.