KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered to shift rice-eating tusker Arikomban from Chinnakanal to Parambikulam. The court agreed to the recommendations of the five-member expert panel and directed the forest department to take safety measures while shifting the elephant in musth condition. It cautioned the public from bursting crackers and taking selfies once the elephant is tranquilized and captured.

The court noted that a long-lasting solution is the need of the hour. It also directed to form a district-level task force comprising RDO, DFO, SP and Panchayat Presidents. The court also stressed on the need to expand the activities of the vigilante committee at the Panchayat level.

The order came on a PIL filed by ‘People for Animals’, an animal rights group questioning the move of forest department to capture the rogue elephant. Kerala Congress (M) Chairman Jose K Mani MP and Shanthapara Panchayat joined the plea as parties seeking permission to capture the elephant.