Video of abused elephant in Tamil Nadu angers Assam, wants jumbo under its care

GUWAHATI:

The Assam Government has asked the Tamil Nadu Government to bring the jumbo back after a video of an elephant identified as Jeymalyatha of Srivilliputhur Nachiyar Thirukovil temple being abused, went viral on social media a week ago.

The elephant was seen tied and beaten up again and again with canes on her hind legs by her caretakers during the 48-day annual rejuvenation camp for jumbos at Thekkampatti.

The Assam Government has decided to take the elephant under its custody even though the Tamil Nadu forest department booked the accused under the Wildlife Protection Act.

According to The New Indian Express, Assam Additional Principal Chief Conservation of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden MK Yadava said the department had taken cognisance of the issue and already spoken to the Tamil Nadu forest department.

"We have requested the Tamil Nadu forest department to send the elephant back. A formal written request will be sent soon. Meanwhile, the elephant also seems to be overstaying in Tamil Nadu. The lease has expired several years back," Yadava said.

The elephant was brought into Tamil Nadu allegedly on a temporary lease around 2008 from Assam and never returned.

The owner of the elephant is Girin Moran from Tinsukia district in Assam and was kept in Kakapathar town.

A decision on sending the elephant back to Assam will be taken shortly, said officials at the Tamil Nadu forest department.

(Edited by Laxmi Chyrmang)