Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Hindu
The Hindu
National
Special Correspondent

Protection squad?

After the protection squads for Balarama and Arjuna, the erstwhile lead Dasara elephants, it’s the time for a similar squad to work as a shield to Abhimanyu, the present howdah-carrying tusker.

These squads used to safeguard the elephants and prevented the public from getting close to the Dasara jumbos, especially the tuskers carrying the 750-kg golden howdah, for selfies and photo opportunities.

The incident that took place during the inaugural event of Srirangapatna Dasara raises the importance of such squads, which could act as a security cover, surrounding them with a thick rope preventing the public from closing in.

Deputy Conservator of Forest K. Karikalan told The Hindu that the department is mulling over constituting a similar squad for Abhimanyu in the wake of the episode in Srirangapatna even though this year’s procession is a low-key affair and confined only to the palace.

“I think it’s an added protection as it is the question of safety and security. People can somehow get close to jumbos and this needs to be prevented as jumbos are unpredictable and all precautions are necessary so that they do not get distracted,” he said.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.