Elephant runs amok destroys vehicles

An elephantran amok and destroyed several vehicles duringa temple festival recently at Pulapatta, about 30 km from here, police said today.
The elephant named Kalidasan turned restive during the Cherunalussery temple fest on February 25. Elephant squad personnel brought the pachyderm under control after about four hours, police said.
No one was injured in the incident.
The elephant caused damage to 20 vehicles including two-wheelers, auto rickshaws and pick-up vans parked near the temple festival ground. Besides the vehicles, the pachyderm damaged electric posts also.
Two persons, who were sitting atop the elephant, came down after the jumbo was brought under control.

Television footage showed the tusker throwing vehicles just like toys.
The jumbo, which was paraded along with 11 other elephants, went on the rampage soon after the festival began on Thursday last. Other elephants were immediately removed from the scene when Kalidasan ran amok.
Parading of caparisoned elephants is an integral part of temple festivities in Kerala.