Chinnakanal (Idukki): The task force on Saturday fired three doses of tranquiliser dart at the rice-loving tusker ‘Arikomban’, which has been terrorising the residents of Chinnakanal and neighbouring areas. According to reports, the tusker is seen giddy.

The shots were fired under the supervision of Chief Veterinary Officer Arun Zachariah, who has been leading the mission. Following this, the jumbo reportedly ran off to neighbouring areas in Sinkukandam Cement Palam.

Once the elephant gets completely tranquilised, the next move will be to arrange vehicles and translocate the animal. However, the forest department has not revealed where the jumbo will be taken after its capture. The details of the operation are kept confidential as per high court order.

Earlier the day, the tusker was spotted near Sinkukandam Cement Palam, but later advanced towards the Suryanelli region.

Four ‘kumki’ elephants (captive pachyderms used in operations for trapping and capturing other elephants) are involved in the mission to capture the elephant. 

Arikomban, named for its habit of raiding ration shops and houses for rice (Ari), has killed 7 people and destroyed 31 buildings in the locality over the past three months, according to the forest department.