Kerala government to seek legal advice on tusker
The meeting was held in the wake of the federation’s decision to keep elephants off the Pooram festival.
Thiruvananthapuram: The state government on Thursday decided to seek legal opinion on parading elephant Thechikottukavu Ramachandran at the Thrissur Pooram festival.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Devaswom minister Kadampally Surendran which was attended by representatives of Kerala Elephant Owners Federation.
The meeting was held in the wake of the federation’s decision to keep elephants off the Pooram festival.
They protested against the district administration and forest department’s restriction on parading a serial killer tusker Thechikottukavu Ramachandran.
The government has decided to seek legal opinion to buy time as the matter is slated to come up before High Court on Friday.
Meanwhile, the federation leaders said they would convey their deciaion on Friday. Thechikottukavu Ramachandran, considered to be the tallest in Kerala, has claimed 13 lives over the years, with the latest being a twin killing in February. Thrissur collector T.V. Anupama had imposed restrictions on parading the tusker at the festival, which was also endorsed by forest minister K. Raju on the grounds of safety of thousands of people coming to witness the festival.
After the meeting, Devaswom minister said the government will take all steps to conduct Pooram festival without any hindrance.