Around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, a firecracker blast in 301 Colony, Chinnakkanal, left a man seriously injured while attempting to scare away a herd of wild elephants. Arogyaraj (51), a resident of Marayoorkudi, suffered critical injuries to his right hand during the explosion.
The area, often troubled by elephant intrusions, witnessed another tense moment when elephants approached Arogyaraj’s house. Armed with a kerosene lamp and crackers, he tried to light and hurl a cracker from his verandah. Unfortunately, it exploded prematurely in his hand.
He was initially rushed by locals to Adimali Taluk Hospital. Doctors there referred him to Theni Medical College Hospital for advanced care, as a major nerve in his hand was reportedly severed. He is currently being treated in the ICU.
At the time of the incident, his wife Rajamma and daughter Ramya were at home. Locals also raised concerns that Arogyaraj was hesitant to be transported by the Rapid Response Team (RRT) vehicle, delaying his treatment.
The incident has reignited debate about the risks locals face in conflict zones with wild animals and the need for safer, coordinated mitigation efforts.