Minister for Forests & Wildlife Protection Shibu Baby John on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) visited the 11-year-old boy undergoing treatment at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital after sustaining injuries in a wild elephant attack at Chinnakkanal.

Interacting with the relatives of the child, identified as Rakshan, the Minister said the government would stand by the family and extend all possible assistance to the boy’s education and medical treatment. On the occasion, he also handed over bank documents relating to the compensation amount deposited as fixed deposits in the names of Rakshan and his sister, Rakshina.

The Minister said ration supplies would be delivered to the family’s home until Rakshan attains the age of 18. In addition, the children, who have lost both their parents, would receive a monthly assistance of ₹5,000.

“A senior officer of the Forest department has also been appointed as a mentor to oversee the welfare and protection of the children till they turn 18,” he said.

Mr. John said the child would be discharged from hospital only after making a full recovery. He added that he had been in regular contact with doctors to monitor the boy’s health condition and assured the family that he would visit their home in Chinnakkanal.

The Minister was accompanied by P.P. Pramod, Chief Conservator of Forests, and T. G. Jacob, Superintendent of Kottayam Medical College Hospital.

Rakshan was injured in the wild elephant attack at Chinnakkanal on June 8, in which his mother, Mari, was killed.