Kerala Sanctions ₹40 Lakh To Relocate Nilambur Boy’s Family

Kerala has sanctioned ₹40 lakh from the CMDRF to relocate four families of Nilambur boy Ananthu Vijayan, who died after contact with an illegal electric trap in Malappuram.
 

Four Families To Receive ₹10 Lakh Each

The Kerala government has sanctioned ₹40 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund for the rehabilitation of four families linked to Ananthu Vijayan, the Nilambur schoolboy who died after coming into contact with an illegally laid electric trap in Malappuram district.

According to the government order, Ananthu’s father, Suresh A, and his three brothers, Balakrishnan, Ayyappan, and Vijayan, will receive financial assistance for relocation. Each family will get ₹10 lakh to either purchase land and construct a house or buy a house with land in a safer location.

Nilambur Boy Died In June 2025 Incident

Ananthu, also known as Jithu, was a Class 10 student of Christ King Higher Secondary School, Manimooli. The incident took place in June 2025 when he reportedly tripped over an electrified wire stretched a few inches above a shallow stream.

He had gone on a nighttime fishing trip with four cousins when the tragedy occurred. The children belonged to the four brothers whose families are now being considered for rehabilitation.

Local Resident Arrested Over Illegal Electric Trap

Following the incident, police arrested a resident, Vineesh, for allegedly drawing power illegally from overhead electric lines to set up the live wire trap.

He was booked under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The electric trap was allegedly laid to ward off wild animals.

Families Living In Disaster-Prone Area

The government order noted that the four families are living in Vellakkatta in Vazhikkadavu, a remote settlement in Malappuram district. The area is surrounded by water on three sides and lies close to forest land.

During the monsoon, the families are often forced to move to relief camps due to flooding, landslide risks, and frequent wild-animal movement. Poor road connectivity has also affected access to education, employment, and essential services.

Official Inspection Found Flood And Landslide Risks

A joint inspection by the District Geologist, Forest Department, and other officials found that the houses are located on the floodplain of the Chattippara stream, a tributary of the Chaliyar River.

The inspection report stated that the area is vulnerable to annual flooding and often gets cut off from the outside world during heavy rain. The site also falls within a flood-prone zone identified by the National Centre for Earth Science Studies and a low landslide hazard zone mapped by the Geological Survey of India.

Officials also noted that the settlement is located around 600 metres from a forest area, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict.

Collector Recommended Rehabilitation

Based on the recommendation of the Malappuram district collector, the Kerala government approved the rehabilitation assistance for the four families.

The Revenue Department has been directed to release the ₹40 lakh through the district collector for disbursement to the beneficiaries.

Safety Concerns In Forest-Bordering Settlements

The decision is expected to provide long-term relief to the affected families while also highlighting the need for stronger action against illegal electric traps and better safety support for people living in forest-bordering and disaster-prone settlements.