Probe ordered into Dasara tusker Arjuna death

Belagavi Hassan, NT Bureau: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah revealed that an investigation had been launched into the death of the famous Dasara elephant Arjuna, adding that memorials would be constructed in remembrance of the jumbo.

The CM made the comments after attending a programme to commemorate the 67th death anniversary of BR Ambedkar at the premises of the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi on Wednesday.

Arjuna, who had been aged 64, got into a fight with another tusker during a rescue operation in Yesalur forest range in Sakleshpura taluk of Hassan district.

There was an outpouring of grief after the jumbo died of his injuries. The tusker had famously carried the golden howdah for eight straight years during Dasara festivities in Mysuru.

“Arjuna carried the Dasara howdah eight times. It was saddening that the elephant died. He could have lived even longer. They had used it to catch hold of another elephant (during a rescue operation). I have ordered an investigation into. When the entirety of the case is clear, I’ll present the facts before you,” Siddaramaiah said.

“Moreover, there is a plan to make a memorial for Arjuna where he died in Sakleshpura taluk and another memorial in HD Kote taluk,” he added.

BJP MLA from Sakleshpura Manju raised the issue in the Assembly, claiming that elephants had been taking human lives in Sakleshpura taluk, adding that the State government should pay special attention to these cases.

Sakleshpura taluk is in proximity to the western ghats and is often classified as a part of the greater Malnad region.