Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi blasted the Assam government on Monday, September 29, over the sudden relocation of five elephants to Tamil Nadu. He demanded full disclosure of ownership records, welfare checks, and legal clearances. The state government remains under fire. Gogoi alleged hypocrisy and secrecy regarding the move.
The MP wants to know if the animals were donated, purchased, or acquired through other means. He specifically requested financial records if money changed hands. He asked for the identities of all parties involved in the transaction. Two of the animals, named Durga and Bijuli, are only five years old. Gogoi demanded documented proof of their lawful origin and the identities of their mothers.
Gogoi challenged the government to prove they followed court-mandated protocols. He questioned if the High-Powered Committee actually vetted the move. He also attacked the timing of a facility inspection in Madurai, suggesting it lacked proper scrutiny. He wants to know if veterinary safeguards were met during the long transit.
The legislator pointed to the past abuse case of an elephant named Joymala as a reason for caution. He believes lessons remain unlearned. "Elephants are woven into Assam’s culture and heritage. Their movement out of the state must not be shrouded in unanswered questions," Gogoi said. He called for the immediate return of the five elephants to Assam while insisting that all permits and approvals be made public.
Updated at 29th September 2026 at 5:49pm
Gogoi also wants to know who exactly pulled the trigger on this move and the specific criteria the state used to pick these five animals for transit. He is now demanding that officials clarify who started the transfer process in the first place.
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