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Laser light attack on elephants: Devaswom alleges agenda to disrupt Pooram

Laser light attack on elephants: Devaswom alleges agenda to disrupt Pooram

The Hindu13-05-2025
Paramekkavu Devaswom authorities have raised an allegation that secret lobbies may be working behind the scenes to sabotage the Thrissur Pooram festival by targeting elephants using laser lights.
Interacting with mediapersons here after the Pooram, Paramekkavu Devaswom secretary G. Rajesh claimed that laser lights were deliberately pointed to the eyes of elephants during Pooram events, including night parading and Kudamattom.
He raised suspicion that such lights might have led to the accident just before the Pooram fireworks in which an elephant ran amok, causing injuries to many.
He warned that had such an incident occurred during the Kudamattom it could have caused a massive disaster. Despite strict orders from the district administration against the use of laser lights during Pooram events, people continued to flash them during night-time processions and even during Kudamattom.
Mr. Rajesh called for a ban on the sale of laser lights at festival venues and demanded strict action against those using them. He stressed that the ultimate goal of certain groups might be to put an end to the elephant processions.
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