Mysore/Mysuru: A farmer has been arrested by Forest Department officials on charges of firing at and injuring Dasara elephant ‘Balarama’, who has the record of carrying ‘Golden Howdah’ during Mysuru Dasara procession for 13 successive years from 1999 to 2011. The arrested has been identified as M.A. Suresh of Alalur in Periyapatna taluk.
Details: Dasara elephant ‘Balarama’ who was sheltered in Bheemanakatte elephant camp coming under Hunsur Wildlife division, was let out to the adjacent forest to have food at about 9.30 pm on the night of Dec.15. But 30 minutes later, the Forest Department staff heard gun shots and elephant cries (trumpet), following which they went in search of the elephant in the direction from where they heard the sound.
