Force set up to protect pilgrims from elephants

SABARIMALA:  A special task force of the Forest Department has been set up at Sannidhanam to protect pilgrims from wild elephants which caused scare among the pilgrims in two separate incidents at  Pandithavalam near Lord Ayyappa temple.An eight-member team, consisting of four from the Konni forest division,  two members  of the Forest  Rapid Action Force and two from the control room,  will function under the forester at Sannidhanam forest  office. The task force will have the emergency equipment and firearms to scare elephants. The squad, which will take charge on Friday, will function till the end of the onoing Mandalam-Makravilaku season. PILGRIM DIESAyyappan, 68, Vellachery,  Kottackal in Malappuram,  passed away at Neelimala Top on his way for darsan of Lord Ayyappa on 5.15 pm on Thursday. Though the volunteers of Akhila Bharatha Ayyappa Seva Sangham brought the pilgrim to Pampa Government hospital for treatment,  he died before reaching the hospital.