IDUKKI: It is learned that rogue tusker Arikomban, which has been wreaking havoc in Chinnakanal and Santhanpara panchayats, may be shifted to Thekkady, a part of the Periyar Tiger Sanctuary. It is indicated that the five-member expert committee appointed by the High Court to resolve the matter decided to shift the elephant to the forest in Thekkady in an online meeting held yesterday. The authorities have not released the information officially.

The report of the committee chaired by amicus curiae Adv Ramesh Babu will be handed over to the government today. The government will take a decision after checking this report. Earlier, the forest department had considered other places to relocate the elephant, citing that a large vehicle would not be able to reach the inner forest of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. However, it is reported that construction has begun to widen the road leading to the inner forests.

However, East Division officials of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary said that the preparations were being made as part of the Mangaladevi festival and they have not received any notification regarding the translocation of the elephant. Peermade MLA Vazhoor Soman demanded that the move to shift Arikomban to Thekkady should be dropped. He said that the arrival of Arikomban will affect tourism in the region.