Assam to send team to Tamil Nadu to bring back elephant being ‘tortured’

Following videos of elephant “Joymala” being assaulted with pliers and iron rods becoming viral on social media, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a meeting with forest minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and forest officials.

Published on: Sep 2, 2022, 24:07:32 IST

By Utpal Parashar, Guwahati

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The Assam government on Thursday decided to send a team of officials and experts to Tamil Nadu to inspect and bring back a captive elephant that is allegedly being tortured by its keepers at a temple in the southern state.

Following videos of elephant “Joymala” being assaulted with pliers and iron rods becoming viral on social media, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a meeting with forest minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and forest officials.

“The meeting decided to send a four-member team to Tamil Nadu and inspect the condition of Joymala, the elephant that is taken from Assam to Tamil Nadu,” stated a statement issued by the CM’s office.

The team will comprise additional principal chief conservator of forests Hirdesh Mishra as team leader, Padmashree Dr Kushal Kumar Sarma, professor, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agriculture University, Superintendent of Police of Morigaon district Aparna Natarajan, and district veterinary and animal husbandry officer, Tinsukia Dr Rupjyoti Kakoti.

“The team will visit Tamil Nadu on September 2 to discuss the matter with the Tamil Nadu government to pave way for return of the captive elephant Joymala to Assam,” the statement added.

According to reports appearing in local media, Joymala was transferred to a temple in Tamil Nadu in 2008 by its owners. As per the video of the elephant’s torture released by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) a few days ago, the elephant is kept at a temple in Nagercoil district in Tamil Nadu.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More