Legal action sought against Pooram organisers

THRISSUR: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), constituted under the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, has sought legal action against the Thrissur Pooram organisers, promoters and the owner of the elephant that turned violent during the concluding day of the Thrissur pooram in which 62 people were injured.AWBI honorary animal welfare officer, Abhishek Kadyan, has moved a mass petition to the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, as well, seeking strict action against those responsible for the stampede and the torture of the elephant that ensued.Naresh Kadyan, representative of OIPA (A UN affiliated international organisation for animal protection) in India, demanded to book the organisers and elephant owner under criminal conspiracy for putting the lives of people in danger, animal cruelty and violation of Wild Life Protection Act. In most of the incidents, the elephant went out of control due to the physical torture, stress, pain and injury it endured, the representative said. They also put forth demands like ban on elephant participation in festivals, introduction of rules and regulations for protection of elephants, immediate rescue and rehabilitation of all sick captive elephants and ban use of iron ankush to tame elephants.