Thekkampatti villagers worried about annual rejuvenation camp for elephants

The annual rejuvenation camp for elephants, organised by the Tamil Nadu government at Thekampatti, has been opposed by villagers, who hoisted black flags atop their huts Wednesday, saying pachyderms from forests were straying into their homes and also destroying crops.

The Federation of Farmers of 23 villages in and around the hamlet near Mettupalayam, about 40 kms from here, warned that they would lay a siege of the venue if the state government went ahead with holding the camp.

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department have planned to organise the 48-day camp on December 14. A total of 32 elephants from various temples in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are expected to be taken to the camp.