Guruvayur: The elephant named Thechikottukkavu Ramachandran which was brought for a house warming ceremony here ran amok after getting provoked by the sound of firecrackers, said reports. Two people were killed after the tusker went violent on Friday here.
The deceased are identified as Narayanan and Gangadharan. Both are NRIs and they came here to attend the function.
The elephant was brought for the house warming of Shaiju.
Shaiju staged the Ezhunallpippu from his house as he wished to have the house warming ceremony on the same day of the temple festival. Hence, he sponsored the elephant and Panchavadyam for the festival.
Many people arrived in the new house to watch the ‘pooram’ (festival) from here. When Panchavadyam began, somebody burst firecrackers near the house. The tusker got disturbed and suddenly moved. When people who gathered here cheered, the elephant turned violent and ran amok.
Narayanan who was standing close to the elephant fell and the elephant crushed him to death. Gangadharan who was injured in the stampede was taken to hospital and he succumbed to his injuries later.
Many of the people were injured after they ran helter-skelter fearing the violent jumbo.
Finally, the mahout tamed it by holding its tail. Later, it was taken in a lorry.
Thechikottukakvu Ramachandran is known as the tallest living elephant in Kerala. But it is visually impaired and hence using it for temple festivals sparked controversy.
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