Using an elephant for extortion is nothing new in Bangladesh. We often come across people riding elephants on Dhaka roads. They block the roads and ask for illegal toll from the shopkeepers, the passers-by and the car owners. It is nothing but extortion. They do not leave until they get the money. As a result, traffic gets stuck for a long time. In some places like sea-beach, elephant-rides are also common. Circuses are terrible places where elephants are physically abused by their trainers with electric shocks, whips, and sharp-ended metal sticks so that they listen to their trainers' dictates. When they make a mistake, they are beaten, tied up with ropes, starved, or chained for hours. But besides robbing people through extortion, those using elephants for extortion are maltreating them as well. And this is also a matter that should concern the authorities.
The elephants that are used for extortion should be taken into government sanctuaries, instead of being exploited like this by these extortionists. And the authorities concerned should also take stern action against those who use the elephants either for extortion or entertainment. It is not difficult for the authorities concerned to catch culprits using elephants for extortion in the act. We urge the authorities to take the matter of animal rights seriously and hope that they will bring an end to this illegal practice.
Afroza Sheikh,
Dania, Dhaka,
ilcbd2008@gmail.com