Explain use of elephants during festivals: Kerala HC to govt

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court has pulled up the state government and the Temple Devasom board over the use of elephants during temple festivals. The court issued a notice and sought an explanation for violating norms.

CNN-IBN had earlier reported on numerous instances of violation and cases of elephants going on a rampage.

A toddler was killed and 25 others injured in a stampede when a tusker ran amok in the festivities at the famous Koodal Manikkam Temple in the Thrissur district. In another incident, 62 were injured as the result of an elephant rampage during the famous Thrissur Pooram festivities.

Kerala High Court has asked the state government and temple boards if the use of elephants is necessary in festivals.

The Kerala Forest Department rules state that the public must be kept at a safe distance and startling or high volume sounds should not be produced near elephants.

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