Govt officials, devaswom did not help, amicus curiae tells HC

Kochi: The amicus curiae appointed by the high court to monitor the inspection of elephants participating in the Thrissur Pooram has submitted a report to the division bench, strongly criticizing the attitude and inaction on the part of govt officials and the Paramekkavu Devaswom secretary.

Amicus curiae advocate T C Suresh Menon alleged that Paramekkavu Devaswom secretary Rajesh heavily criticized the HC’s interference in the Pooram festival.

The report alleged that Paramekkavu Devaswom did to offer any help in implementing the HC directive on maintaining a 6-meter distance between the elephants and the public.

The report said the amicus curiae, along with advocate Sandesh Raja, appointed for observation, inspected 28 of the 44 elephants of Thiruvambady Devaswom. It said that three elephants, Pampady Sundaran, Vyloor Parameswaran, and Ezhuthupurackal Ganga Prasad, who had wounds on their legs were cleared by doctors for the parade.

The report also mentioned that 28 of Paramekkavu Devaswom’s elephants were tethered in a very small space. When the inspection started, the mahouts were completely withdrawn from the vicinity and the animal husbandry department doctor was also absent. Even though the chief conservator of forest (high range circle) requested assistance, Paramekkavu Devaswom Secretary refused it, citing that animal husbandry department officials had already inspected the elephants. Even the Thrissur ADM did not help. Hence, they could not approach most of the elephants on the Paramekkavu Devaswom side, the amicus curiae said.

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