Indian women cricketer Minnu Mani’s aunt mauled to death by tiger in Kerala

Dubai: Indian all-rounder Minnu Mani’s aunt was mauled to death by a tiger in Kerala’s Wayanad district on Friday. Radha, a 45-year-old tribal woman and wife of a temporary Forest Watcher, was walking toward her workplace in a private coffee plantation owned by a family friend in Mananthavady. Her husband, Appachan, had dropped her near the plantation on his scooter. Afterward, she took the forest path to the plantation, where the tiger attacked her.

The tiger dragged Radha’s body several metres into the forest, and the partially eaten remains were discovered by a squad of the Kerala Police commando unit during regular patrolling. This marks the eighth fatal tiger attack in Wayanad over the past decade.

Minnu, who is currently in Delhi, has called for swift action to curb the rising man-animal conflict. “I wish the authorities take strict measures against the tiger responsible for this tragedy,” said Minnu, the first tribal woman from Kerala to play international cricket.

The 25-year-old off-spinner, who has represented India in three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and four Twenty20 matches, took one wicket in the third ODI against Ireland at Rajkot last week, where the hosts broke several records in the big victory.

Radha’s death has sparked protests among local residents, and State Minister O.R. Kelu has assured them that the tiger will be eliminated, and the victim’s family will receive financial compensation.