Tusker keeps cops on tenterhooks

KOTTAYAM: A sulking tusker named Kalidasan walked out of Sree Dharma Sastha temple at Peruvanthanam in Idukki and entered Mundakayam in Kottayam on Sunday. Miffed by its fellow elephant Narayanankutty, it walked through the highway in a highly disciplined manner with police following it.As soon as the elephant crossed Idukki district, the police backed out after alerting the police station concerned.After entering Kottayam, the elephant took rest for sometime. Then it took a dip in the Manimala river.There it remained idle for sometime and later continued its journey. It kept walking and reached Pulikunnam via Erumeli.The police finally took the decision to fire the tranquiliser to sedate the animal.There were no reports of any loss of property or life. The elephant had defied its mahout as it was in a state of musth, the police said.