Daijiworld Media Network – Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Jun 27: A male elephant, agitated by loud noises, broke a barricade and ran into a narrow lane during the grand Rath Yatra procession in Ahmedabad on Friday, injuring a bystander and causing brief panic.

The incident occurred near Khadia Gate when the only male elephant in the 148th annual Rath Yatra procession veered off course due to loud music and whistles. The elephant charged into a crowd and entered a narrow lane before being brought under control by mahouts riding two female elephants.

“One bystander was injured and taken to a nearby hospital. The procession has continued as planned,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Control Room) Komal Vyas.

The 16-km-long procession, which began from the 400-year-old Jagannath temple, features 17 elephants, 100 trucks, and 30 akhadas.

“The male elephant got agitated due to the noise. It was controlled without using a tranquiliser and later tied with the two female elephants,” said RK Sahu, Superintendent of Kankaria Zoo, who oversees the health of the elephants and issues fitness certificates for their participation.

Following the disruption, all three elephants were removed from the procession. A viral video shows the elephant breaking a barricade and running through the crowd.

Zoo authorities, forest department staff, and veterinary doctors are now monitoring the remaining elephants closely. “Three teams equipped with tranquilising guns have been deployed along the route,” Sahu added.