SHIVAMOGGA: The Shivamogga Dasara procession on Wednesday was abruptly cut short after Dasara tusker Somanna lost his composure and ran amok.This was the first time that Somanna was tasked with carrying the silver howdah with the idol of goddess Chamundeshwari placed inside.Forest authorities brought the 35-year-old elephant from the Sakrebailu Elephant Camp as a last-minute replacement after regular lead elephant Sagar suffered a leg injury.The procession commenced around 2.30pm after Shivamogga MLA SN Channabasappa offered floral tributes to Goddess Chamundeshwari.As the procession moved through the city streets, massive crowds in the Gandhi bazaar area and sudden loud noises startled the 35-year-old pachyderm.Agitated by the commotion, Somanna lost his composure and bolted.Due to the violent motion and sudden frantic running, the ornate silver howdah slipped off his back and crashed to the ground.The sudden rampage triggered widespread panic among spectators scrambling for safety.Police personnel and forest department officials following the tusker tried to control the panicking crowds and secure the area even as veterinary officers Dr Anand and Dr Muruli Manohar administered a sedative to safely calm Somanna, but he ran amok for some time.Following safety protocols, authorities immediately halted the remainder of the procession while attempts were made to bring Somanna under control with the help of the elephants Sagar and Bahadur.He made his way into an alley near Kote Seetharamanjaneya Temple and was chained, bringing the situation under control after some 30 minutes of tension, allowing the forest staff and authorities to heave a sigh of relief.In the melee, six gold bangles that adorned Goddess Chamundeshwari have gone missing.A total of eight gold bangles had adorned Chamundeshwari but only two bangles were found, while the remaining six are missing, officers informed. The Ambari was damaged.Shivamogga SP B Nikhil told reporters that the incident will be investigated.He said the situation is under control and none were injured while some vehicles have sustained damage.
