MUMBAI NOVEMBER 17: Continuing its drive against the use of old and sick camels for joyrides, the Aasmant Nature Club today rescued several such animals from the Lal Chowkey area of Kalyan. The chief of the nomadic tribe that has brought these camels here, Tanaji Yashwant Jagtap (45), has been arrested under Section 11 (1) (a) of the Animal Cruelty Act.``Most of the animals have developed sores after being constantly hit with a whip that has a nail attached to its end,'' said Aasmant Nature Club's PRO, Nilesh Bhanage. None of the kids and their parents, however, seemed bothered with the pain the camels underwent while they rode them. ``My Bunty who is only seven thinks the camels are from the film Jurassic Park because of the groans,'' said S Halini Parab. In fact, some of people were upset with the Aasmant members for playing spoilsports. They demanded a refund because the rides were stopped midway.Zone III DCP Suresh Shire alongwith Assistant Police Commissioner, Thane, L Godbole, however, arrivedjust in time as tempers were rising and asked the camel keepers to leave the area immediately. In l996 some animal rights organisations had brought the plight of camels used for joyrides on Juhu beach to the notice of Bombay High Court following which the court had ruled that the animals should not be allowed to be brought into Mumbai. ``Unfortunately the judgment has been interpreted by the keepers to mean that they are free to do what they were doing in Mumbai elsewhere,'' lamented Rupali Parkhe, the chairperson of the club.
