MYSURU, 21 SEPT

Tension prevailed for some time at Mysuru Palace's Jayamarthanda Gate on Friday evening as two Dasara elephants were engaged in a fight.

The elephants, Dhananjaya and Kanjan, run amok on the palace premises triggering panic among the public. Dhananjaya was brought under control by its mahouts and kavadis. Kanjan, who ran up to Bengaluru-Nilgiris road, stopped on its own and mahouts brought it back to the camp.

Mysuru district in-charge minister HC Mahadevappa said he has asked the foresters and police to ensure that such incidents do not repeat. However, he said animal behaviour cannot be guessed. Like two bulls fighting in open streets, these jumbos also had fights on palace premises where they were camping, Mahadevappa said. 

The minister has asked the Forest Department on this. Meanwhile, DCF (wildlife) IB Prabhugowda said Dhananjaya and Kanjan are not in musth and veterinarians have examined the elephants.