Guwahati: Assam Environment & Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya visited the spot in Kothiatoli, Nagaon where 18 elephants died. Lightning is said to be the cause of the deaths but an investigation is underway to rule out any other possibility.
The elephants including three calves died on Wednesday night at a hill in the Kundoli proposed reserve forest in the Kathiatoli range.
The post-mortems are underway.
Minister Suklabaidya expressed shock and grief at the death of so many elephants in such a tragic manner. An emotional Suklabaidya prayed for peace of the departed souls and spoke about the relationship that people of Assam share with elephants and how much they are loved and respected.
Minister Suklabaidya along with Barhampur MLA Jitu Goswami and forest officials trekked the difficult terrain to reach the spot.
It was a sad and sombre moment for all to see the tragic site of the jumbos lying dead. Animal lovers and locals of the area reached the spot and lighted earthen lamps and incense sticks and offered prayers for the departed souls. Environmentalists have demanded a probe into the deaths.
K.K. Deori, AFS, Deputy Conservator of Forest, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Wildlife & Chief Wildlife Warden are part of the team conducting the investigation into the deaths of the wild elephants.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been taking stock of the situation since Wednesday night and had directed Minister Suklabaidya to visit the spot and get a first-hand report of what exactly was the cause of the deaths.
The villagers were the ones who initially spotted the elephants and alerted the forest officials.