Tusker Turns Aggressive at Kochi Temple, Injuring Mahout

Overview

• Police identified the tusker as Chamappuzha Unnikrishnan, which turned aggressive around 8:30 pm during preparations for the Athazha Seeveli ritual at Tripunithura Poornathrayeesa Temple in Kochi.
• The mahout sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital.
• After the incident, the elephant moved toward the temple office and stood there as devotees panicked.
• Temple officials and other mahouts evacuated the crowd and later restrained and locked the animal.
• Officials said the elephant had been brought to the temple for a festival scheduled to begin on Monday.