ALAPPUZHA: The Alappuzha Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) will file a case against the Travancore Devaswom Board authorities under the wildlife protection Act for torturing temple elephant Mullakkal Balakrishnan which fell into a swamp on Tuesday and was rescued after a 17-hour operation. The Supreme Court order of August 2015 stipulates criminal action against the elephant owners for violating the rules. Sumi Joseph, ACF, Alappuzha, said that range officer Nazharudheen Kunju was asked to register a case against the owner and others who transported Balakrishnan in a vehicle without proper care.
Mr Kunju said that a case will be filed against the elephant owner and the mahouts. The activists have demanded quick action against the elephant owners and Cochin Devaswom Board. Mr M.N. Jayachandran, member, Kerala State Animal Welfare Board, said that the real culprits should not be allowed to get away. If rules are violated, the owner and custodian of elephant must be treated as accused along with other persons involved in such offences, according to the Supreme Court order.
“No elephant should be treated with cruelty while being used for festivities. If found guilty, those concerned shall face severe consequences which may include confiscation of the elephants to the state,” said the order. Though the authorities tried to move Balakrishnan to Mullakkal on Thursday, it refused to climb the vehicle as its front leg is suffering from inflammation. So the TDB officials decided to keep the elephant at Thuravoor till it gets healed.
