High drama prevailed in the house of a cardamom farmer Kochupurakkal Martin of Kumili in Idukki district after his cardamom plants were destroyed by wild elephants, following which he locked himself inside a room threatening to commit suicide. Then he got an unexpected call from State Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
Manoramaonline reports that while locals, the police and people's representatives seemed unable to reverse the farmers decision to commit suicide, Thiruvanchoor, soothed the farmer’s feelings and reversed his decision after a pep talk on phone.
Though some local politicians, his family members and nuns from a church by was trying to convince him he was not ready to listen until a local leader connected him to the Minister. After the talk with Minister Martin came out of the room and was found relaxed.
As per the report the minister assured him over phone that damages would be paid and that other steps to prevent elephant attacks would be taken soon.
Following that District Forest Officer has also met Martin and had offered him to pay for the damages, and has also made additional promises of compensation.