THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a sixth such incident in the state since January, a mahout was stamped to death by a male elephant in Karamana river at Thrikkanapuram on Tuesday afternoon. The first mahout identified as Krishnankutty, 60 alias Mani of Pala was killed by the tusker Venattumattom Unnikrishnan, 21. The elephant which had reportedly killed two men at Kottayam and one at Kollam in the past was allegedly being worked at a mill, Pala Timbers, Karakkamandapom.
The elephant used to be tied down at a plot next to the bathing ghat on Thrikkanapuram river near Sreechakram Vishnu temple, Alumoodu, Thrikkanapuram.
The incident happened at 3 p.m. as the elephant was being walked back to its resting spot across the river. It stopped in the midst of shallow waters and became angry when the mahout asked him to get back to land.
In a fit of rage, it stamped Mr Krishnankutty into the muddy riverbed two times breaking his thighs and killing him on the spot. Further it stood guard over the body, not letting anyone come closer.
A team of six experts including the second mahout tried to control the elephant which charged at them three times. Making use of that opportunity, a team of citizens from the opposite side of the river pulled the body away.
The elephant which became tired under the sun was stranded in the waters for around an hour before finding its way back to land. After this, he was clamped on his leg using a thorn belt. Once the elephant became immobile, all its four legs were chained and it was walked back.
The police has registered a case and started a probe. Since January, five mahouts have been killed by elephants during temple processions across the state.
