Jumbo death controversy: K Raju rebuts Maneka Gandhi's claims

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Forest minister K Raju on Monday said untrue reports appeared in a section of media that Maneka Gandhi had cited his statements as a basis for her controversial remarks against Malappuram district. "The reports which claimed that Maneka's statements against Malappuram, in connection with the tragic death of a cow elephant, were based on her conversations with the state forest minister was untrue. I haven't had any such conversation with her," Raju said.
There was no reason to find fault with a district in connection with the tragic incident. "Only 67 wild elephants died of unnatural death in Kerala in the last 10 years. Kerala is a model state where protection of wildlife and caring of domesticated elephants takes place most effectively. There are wild allegations that over 600 wild elephants died an unnatural death in Kerala in a year. Persons accused in the case have been arrested. Strict action would be taken against those committed the heinous act. It's to extricate herself from the torrent of criticism against her anti-minority statements that Maneka is making baseless allegations," he said.