2 injured as elephants run amok during Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad
The incident occurred at approximately 10.15 am on Friday while the Rath Yatra was passing through the Khadia area of the city. A caparisoned elephant suddenly moved away from the group and ran in the opposite direction, sparking panic in the crowded, narrow street in the walled city area. One or two other elephants also strayed away from the route.
Even as the police warned people to move away, the mahouts chased the elephant that ran amok and brought it under control.
According to the GVK-EMRI paramedic service deployed at the scene, a woman police personnel received first aid on the spot, and a male devotee was taken to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for treatment.
Videos of the incident show one of the elephants running amok along the road, with people lined up on both sides, and police personnel trying to keep devotees from panicking for a few tense moments before the elephant is brought to heel by the mahouts.
The Ahmedabad City Police, at 10.28 am, said in a post on X, 'After elephants went out of control in the Khadia area, they have been dismissed from the Rath yatra and the procession is continuing as per schedule.'
The 16 km procession of the 148th Rath Yatra began early Friday morning after Union Home Minister Amit Shah did the mangala aarti at 4 am at the Jagannath temple in Jamalpur, and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel did the 'pahind' (sweeping with a golden broom) ritual later.
Over 23,000 police officials and personnel from other forces have been deployed for the security of the Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, the oldest and largest in the state.
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