A day after the Kerala government said a wildlife crime investigation team has been sent to probe the death of a pregnant wild elephant in Palakkad district, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took to address the mounting outrage on social media over the issue.
Saying that many people reached out to the government over the issue, the chief minister assured that justice will prevail.
“In a tragic incident in Palakkad dist, a pregnant elephant has lost its life. Many of you have reached out to us. We want to assure you that your concerns will not go in vain. Justice will prevail,” he said in a tweet.
In another tweet, Vijayan said the investigation is focusing on three suspects and added that the government and the police will do "everything possible" to bring the culprits to justice.
"An investigation is underway, focusing on three suspects. The police and forest departments will jointly investigate the incident. The district police chief and the district forest officer visited the site today. We will do everything possible to bring the culprits to justice," he tweeted.
Having said that, we are saddened by the fact some have used this tragedy to unleash a hate campaign. Lies built upon inaccurate descriptions and half truths were employed to obliterate the truth. Some even tried to import bigotry into the narrative. Wrong priorities.
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) June 4, 2020
Further, the chief minister said Kerala is a society that respects the outrage against injustice and added that "Let us be that people who fight injustice in all its forms; every time, everywhere."
"Kerala is a society that respects the outrage against injustice. If there is any silver lining in this, it is that we now know that we can make our voices heard against injustice. Let us be that people who fight injustice in all its forms; everytime, everywhere," said another tweet from the chief minister.
Kerala is a society that respects the outrage against injustice. If there is any silver lining in this, it is that we now know that we can make our voices heard against injustice. Let us be that people who fight injustice in all its forms; everytime, everywhere.
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) June 4, 2020
The elephant had consumed a pineapple filled with powerful fire crackers which exploded in the animal's mouth in the Silent Valley Forest and it died about a week later on May 27.
The Centre, which took serious note of the incident, has sought a report from the state.
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said the Centre has sought a complete report and assured that stern action will be taken against the culprits involved. "We have sought a complete report on the incident. Stern action will be taken against the culprits," he had said.
Voicing concern over the incident, Bollywood celebrities including Anushka Sharma, Shraddha Kapoor, Randeep Hooda demanded strict action against animal cruelty.
(With PTI inputs)
