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Action sought against Gajamela organisers

PALAKKAD: Animal lovers have demanded that the government take action against the Elephant Welfare Trust of India for organising a Gajamela here on November 25.

The Wildlife Protection Society of India, in a complaint sent to the Forest Minister and the Chief Wildlife Warden on Tuesday, said that the Elephant Welfare Trust of India organised a Gajamela and a march on the city roads on Sunday. It was organised with the support of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Forest and Police Departments.

The complaint said that the Gajamela itself is in violation of the ban imposed by the Central government in 1999 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Apart from the violation of the Act, it also flouted the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2003. The violations included using elephant calves in the function and use of heavy chains irrespective of the animal’s age. Cruelty in terms of beating, kicking, using sharp-edged arms, using injured and sick elephants, using decorations like flux banners to cover their bodies, creating stress for the elephants, ill treatment by ‘drunken mahouts’ etc. was also alleged.

The complaint sent by S. Guruvayurappan, coordinator (South India), Wildlife Protection Society of India, requested the Forest Minister and the Chief Wildlife Warden to take legal action against the organisers of the Gajamela and the persons who are responsible for this cruelty and violations of Central and State Acts. The society has also demanded that Gajamela be banned in the country in future as it violated the animal protection laws.

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