Arikomban enters mission field once again; mock drill will not be conducted tomorrow, locals and the mission team waiting for court verdict

IDUKKI: Arikomban, the rogue tusker, once again entered the mission field while the officials were continuing preliminary preparations for using tranquillizer shots on the elephant. Arikomban and three other elephants arrived in the area at 3:30 today. The elephant is currently in the spot where the authorities decided to set up a temporary ration shop. The forest department has formed eight teams to capture the invasive rogue tusker which has been spreading fear in Chinnakanal and Santhanpara panchayats in Idukki.

There will be no mock drill tomorrow as the case is pending before the court. If the court verdict is favourable, the forest department will start efforts to carry out the mission from 4 am the next morning. There is a ban on capturing the elephant till March 29 as the High Court has issued a temporary stay. The locals and the mission team are confident that the court will make a favourable decision on the 29th. The forest department is collecting the necessary information for this.