Killer tusker allowed at Thrissur Pooram

Controversial tusker Thechikottukavu Ramachandran has been allowed to perform the ritual heralding at the renowned Thrissur Pooram festival of Kerala.

Kerala has been witnessing a major row over the last couple of weeks after the Thirssur district collector banned the tusker from the Thrissur Pooram, after an adverse health report.

The matter had also put the Left front government in Kerala in a tight spot, as it is yet another temple issue after the Sabarimala row.

The BJP had alleged attempts to sabotage the Thrissur Pooram, a festival that attracts even international tourists owing to the parading of over 100 elephants.

A committee led by Thrissur District Collector T V Anupama on Saturday gave a conditional permission to use the elephant for the ritual on Sunday in the wake of strong demands.

A ban imposed by the committee earlier was relaxed after a team of medical experts examined the elephant and gave a favourable report.

The tusker is now permitted to be used from 9.30 am to 10.30 am on Sunday for the ritual heralding.

Barricades would have to be set up to keep the public at a distance of ten metres from the tusker and four mahouts would have to be deployed for the tusker.

The expert panel reported that there was not much risk in parading the elephant for one hour.

The tusker would not be permitted at the main event of the Thrissur Pooram on Monday, in which over 100 elephants will be paraded on the premises of the temple.

The Kerala advocate general had on Friday recommended that the tusker be allowed at the Thrissur Pooram after taking in writing from the owners that they would take responsibility for any trouble caused.

Thechikottukavu Ramachandran, considered to be the tallest captive elephant in Kerala, is partially blind and has killed 13 persons over the years, the latest being the killing of two people in February.

The Kerala Elephant Owners Federation had strongly protested against the collector’s decision and gave a call to not parade any elephant in the Pooram.

DH News Service