Hyderabad: With elephant Rajani creating some anxious moments during the Muharram procession, the city police is planning to ask the government and the Nizam Trust to make alternative arrangements from next year.
The elephant showed signs of restlessness at the annual Muharram procession recently. It became tensed twice in front of the Bibi-ka-Alawa, creating panic among the public.
“Though trained, the elephant shows signs of restlessness as soon as it is brought near the Bibi-ka-Alawa. Zoo keepers told us that the elephant is not able to cope with the blaring of loudspeakers, slogans, blood smell and flashing of daggers by mourners,” said V. Satyanarayana, DCP (south).
Furthermore, the Bibi-ka-Alawa road is narrow. “The lanes are narrow and only one person can walk through. There is no escape route if the elephant runs amok. It can also result in a stampede,” he added. Meanwhile, a group of Shia leaders have taken up the issue with Mohammed Ali, Deputy Chief Minister.
The police plans to redraft the bandobast scheme after verifying the CCTV footages. The police also plans to make traffic arrangements between Bibi-ka-Alawa and Shaik Faiz Kaman from next year.
