(IN): Fling over, Sabitri in ring

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Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070906/asp/siliguri/story_8282387.asp

 

Fling over, Sabitri in ring

OUR CORRESPONDENT

 

*Durgapur Sept. 5:* Naughty Sabitri has returned home after a whirlwind

romance with the tall, dark bloke she bolted with a week ago.

 

The couple were a fair distance from each other this morning, possibly after

having made love.

 

A forest team stepped in and created a din, which drove the hunk away.

Forest officers said the tusker had got what he wanted.

 

Sabitri, too, had had the moment of her life.

 

She responded to her mahout today after giving him the cold shoulder for

days.

 

" She was alone near a pond in the Gangajalghati (in Bankura) forest when we

saw her. Our hulla party cordoned her off and blew conch shells and beat

drums, " said divisional forest officer Raju Das. " Her mate was no longer mad

about her as he earlier was. He walked into the forest. "

 

Mahout Kalimuddin Sheikh called out tentatively, but Sabitri responded

readily to her acquaintance from the days of innocence.

 

The truck that had been kept ready nearby, though, was not to the liking of

20-year-old Sabitri. She trumpeted aloud once, but then agreed to climb up

the wooden planks.

 

" She made no attempt to break free, " Das said. Not used to life in the wild,

she had looked tired to Kalimuddin in a forest in nearby Mejia yesterday.

 

Over 250 people had assembled at the Olympic Circus tent in Ranigunj town in

Burdwan when the truck arrived with Sabitri at 5pm. She was given bananas to

eat and smeared with vermilion on the forehead.

 

" We had lost hope when Sabitri repeatedly refused to respond to our call, "

said Chandranath Banerjee, the circus manager.

 

He hopes to cash in now. " She should ensure a full house over the next few

days. She'd be our star, " he said.

 

The circus will plead with the Asansol subdivisional officer to let them

stay on in Ranigunj for a longer period. The wild elephant and Sabitri had

been romping in the forests of Mejia, Borjora and Gangajalghati in Bankura

since Friday.

 

Ten bull elephants and a horde of circus and forest officials had been

following her spoor, though for different reasons.

 

Das said forest guards were still keeping an eye on the tusker. " The hulla

party will follow his activities for a couple of days as he might try to

make out with Sabitri again. "

 

The circus manager said the elephant enclosure would fenced off with tin

sheets and armed guards would be hired during their remaining period of

their stay in Ranigunj. " We have three more females. "

 

 

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