THRISSUR: Following the Express report on the incident involving the alleged brazen violation of animal rights in which four persons had set off fireworks while seated atop an elephant during the Church feast at the St Mary’s Cathedral Church at Pazhanji here, the Forests Department has lodged a case against five persons.The charges against subcommittee members of the Church organising committee - Sathish, Johnson, Fijo and Tintu-and mahout Aneesh under the Captive Elephant Management and Maintenance rule 2012 were lodged by Assistant Conservator of Forests A Jayamadhavan on Monday.
According to the write-up, tusker Cherpulassery Rajasekharan with lacerations on its body was paraded during the feast. Exacerbating the animal’s misery, it was mounted by the quartet displaying fireworks. In its wake, the Captive Elephant Monitoring Committee chaired by the District Collector had ordered immediate action against the violators.
Meanwhile, Heritage Animal Task Force secretary V K Venkatachalam said the rule mandating fireworks display should be held at least 100 metres away from the elephants is being violated with impunity and alarming regularity. Animal Welfare Board of India nominee M N Jayachandran claimed all this happened right in front of the police and foresters who remained mute spectators to the shocking spectacle. He said the elephants were paraded in a constricted area.