Animal rights activists arrested before elephant polo match

Jaipur, Nov 18 (UNI) About a dozen activists of various animal protection groups have been taken into preventive custody by the police just before the start of the 'alternative elephant polo' match supported by the jewellery major Cartier to be held here today.

The police had taken them into custody and escorted them to the Jotwara police station.

The members of various animal protection groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Ranjith for Animals, and Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC), wearing prison costumes and elephant masks staged a protest demostration in the Central Park here today afternoon. They held signs reading ''Cartier: Time to stop the elephant cruelty''.

N G Jayasimha, coordinator, campaigns and legal affairs of PETA told UNI that ''the authorities, instead of putting an end to the cruelty meted out to elephants, arrested the activists. It is highly deplorable''.

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