A twin elephant rampage in Kerala on Friday that left two people dead has thrown the spotlight once again on alleged widespread violations of captive elephant parading rules, with animal rights activists alleging that the tragedies were preventable and caused due to systemic failures in enforcement of rules.

The Heritage Animal Task Force alleged that elephants are routinely subjected to extreme stress during festival seasons, including being transported continuously across districts without adequate rest, food, or water. “These deaths are a direct result of cruelty. Elephants are being paraded without rest, denied food and water, and kept under the scorching sun without shelter,” said V.K. Venkitachalam, Secretary of the Task Force. “The rules governing elephant parading, issued by the Forest department on March 20, 2013, are being blatantly violated across Kerala.”