OIL employee trampled to death by wild jumbos

DIGBOI: At a time when man-elephant conflicts are constantly reported from various vulnerable locations in Upper Dehing Reserve Forest (UDRF) under Digboi Forest Division, an Oil India employee was trampled to death on Wednesday evening in the Digboi oil field area.

The deceased, who has been identified as Madhujya Gogoi (33), an employee of IT Department at M/S Oil India Limited Duliajan, was returning from Digboi Oil Field Area in a Bolero car along with his five-member team when the herd of wild tuskers attacked them, thus killing Gogoi while others managed to escape. The team was heading towards Duliajan when suddenly the wild elephants emerged out of the bushes and attacked the vehicle.

According to sources, the deceased was a resident of Bordubi area and was engaged in the IT Department at Oil India Limited Duliajan. He had come to Digboi on duty. His demise was mourned widely by the people of Digboi-Duliajan.

Wild elephants have been creating terror and wreaking havoc in various vulnerable locations in UDRF areas in Tinsukia district, including AOD residential and bungalow areas. The wild tuskers, in quest of food, often frequent the human-habitation belt and cause damage to agricultural fields and houses. The man-elephant conflict over a period of time has increased manifold in several areas under Digboi Forest Division. Meanwhile, the body of the deceased was sent to Tinsukia for post-mortem and his last rites were performed at his hometown Bordubi.