Dasara elephant Balarama suffers gun shot injury; accused arrested by forest men
1 min read
Mysuru: The famed Dasara elephant Balarama suffered gun shot injuries after a farm land owner allegedly opened fire at the elephant near Bheemanakatte elephant camp in Periyapatna taluk in the district on Thursday night.
Acting swiftly the forest personnel arrested farm land owner identified as Suresh of Alalur village in Periyapatna taluk and produced him before the court. He has been remanded to 14 days judicial custody.
On the other hand, Balarama is being treated for the injuries suffered in the leg at Bhimanakatte camp.
Balarama went near the farm land, when the accused Suresh fired at Balarama with his single barrel gun.
A medical team headed by Dr Ramesh immediately started treatment of Balarama at the camp.
Forest personnel have siezed the single barrel gun and cartridges from the accused. The case is punitive in nature under Wildlife Conservation Act 1972. Hence a case has been booked under WLOR-06/ 2022-23.
Balarama was captured in 1987 in Kattepura forest near Somwarpet in Kodagu region.
From 1999 to 2011 Balarama carried the 750-kg Golden Howdah in Dasara for 14 years, till he was succeeded by Arjuna. He later became Nishane elephant in Jamboo Savari procession on Vijayadashami that marks the culmination of Dasara.
– Team Mysoorunews
Mysooru News
