Question

Mahouts in Jharkhand have hit upon an ingenious way to feed their elephants and also run their families. They use the animals to extort money from vehicles on the national highways. Extortion by elephants has become a menace on the highways connecting the Ranchi- Jamshedpur and Ranchi-Patna sectors. Let loose by their mahouts, around six elephants hold sway over the area. "I was stopped by elephants near Bundu, around 70 km from Ranchi. I could get away only by paying * 50," said Nitin Bapat, a regular commuter on the highways. The gentle giants have been quick to learn the tricks of the trade. Whenever they see an approaching vehicle, the jumbos quickly lumber on to the middle of the road. Most drivers cough up the money out of fear. "Feeding and maintaining elephants is not an easy task. Vehicle owners willingly donate money and we never force anyone to pay," Nandi Mahto, a mahout, said. Devdhar, another mahout, said, "Please do not call it extortion. In lieu of the money, the jumbos ensure the vehicle owners safety on the roads," But he couldn't explain how. The mahouts put vermilion on the heads and trunks of the elephants to give the practice a religious appearance. "Up to date, no elephant has hurt anyone on the road. An elephant does not harm a vehicle owner who does not give money," says Moni Thakur, a mahout. On the other hand, if we do not get that money, it is indeed difficult to arrange food for elephants." flonban Tytortion Stopping by elephants
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Title: Extortion by elephants in Jharkhand

Extortion by elephants by Mahouts in Jharkhand on the Ranchi-Jamshedpur highway and Ranchi-Patna sectors have become a menace.

Around six of the elephants hold sway over the area and commuters have to pay the money to get away. The elephants are so trained that they lumber on the road when a vehicle approaches.

Mahouts then reason out that the vehicle owners are paying the money willingly to feed the elephants. And they add that it is not extortion but road safety. Another mahout reasons out that no has been hurt and without money, they couldn't maintain the elephants.