15-year-old boy’s electrocution ignites political fire in Kerala’s Nilambur bypoll

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A 15-year-old boy was electrocuted from a power trap set up for wild boars at Vazhikkadavu near Nilambur on Saturday (June 7, 2025) evening. Two other boys were injured in the accident, which triggered a wave of protests and heated allegations during the ongoing campaign for the Nilambur Assembly byelection.

Jithu, a class 10 student, died of electric shock from the wild boar trap when he went fishing along with his relatives. Two other boys, Shanu and Yadhu, escaped with injuries.

United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Aryadan Shoukath and Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate M. Swaraj visited the hospital where the victims were brought.

Congress workers launched a protest accusing the government of the responsibility. They blocked the road leading to the Government Taluk Hospital at Nilambur. Police arrested and forcibly removed the protestors.

Meanwhile, BJP also staged protest against the tragic incident.

Mr. Shoukath alleged that it was a government-sponsored murder. He said illegal electric traps for wild boars were set up with the tacit approval of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). He said the government could not wash its hands of the responsibility for the tragedy.

Mr. Swaraj accused the UDF of politicising a human tragedy. He said blocking a road leading to a hospital during the time of a tragedy was inhuman. “It could have led to more grievous tragedies,” he said.

Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran alleged a conspiracy in the tragedy. He said a protest had been taken out in Malappuram soon after the tragedy on Saturday evening even before the people of Nilambur came to know about it.

Meanwhile, police arrested two persons in connection with the accident. Local residents said those arrested were regularly been engaged in killing wild boars by setting up traps for them with stolen power from KSEB lines.

CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan alleged possibility of a political conspiracy behind the tragedy. He said the role of the UDF leaders in the tragedy should be examined. He said it was a deliberate move to turn against the government. The call history of the accused should be examined, he said, alleging that it was a political bankruptcy of the UDF.