KOYILANDY (KOZHIKODE): The forest department has reported that the elephants that caused the death of three people at the temple in Kozhikode were not chained. The High Court has directed that a chain be used when taking the elephant for processions. Meanwhile, the bodies of Leela (68), Ammukutty Amma (78) and Rajan (68), who died after the elephant turned violent at the Sri Manakulangara Bhagavathy temple in Kuruvangad, Kozhikode, were cremated.

The bodies were kept for public homage at a specially prepared place near the temple. Minister M.B. Rajesh and Kanathil Jameela MLA and thousands of people paid their last respects. The elephant fury at the Sri Manakulangara Bhagavathy temple in Kuruvangad happened on Friday evening. 32 people were injured in the incident.

Minister A.K. Saseendran said that strict action will be taken in the incident. There is also uncertainty about the circumstances surrounding the elephant getting provoked. Action will be taken against the temple officials and the elephant owners. The minister said that more details will be clarified after visiting the spot.

The forest and revenue departments that inspected the site gave different opinions. The forest department found that the elephant named Peethambaran was provoked when the elephant Gokul, who stood behind, walked to the front. The Revenue Department adds that the directive in the Domestic Elephant Conservation Act not to burst firecrackers near elephants has been violated. Both reports have been submitted to Minister A.K. Saseendran. The temple committee said that if the elephant was provoked by firecrackers, then it is part of the ritual and an explanation will be provided in court.

Why were the elephants sent far away?

In the incident where three people died after elephants turned violent during the Manakulangara Bhagavathy temple festival in Koyilandy Kuruvangad, the High Court has directed the Guruvayur Devaswom Deputy Administrator to appear in person on the 17th with the registers related to the elephants. The court asked why permission was given to take the elephants to distant places. Division bench comprising Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice S Muralikrishna has sought an explanation from the Forest Department.

The Live Stock Deputy Administrator should produce registers containing information on food and transportation, including those of the elephants Peethambaran and Gokul.

A petition filed by Sangita Iyer, President of the Asian Elephant Society, seeking an order to keep the Punnathur elephant enclosure of the Guruvayur Devaswom clean is under consideration.