2 elephants die of electrocution, 1 person seriously injured in jumbo attack

A CORRESPONDENT

BAKSA: Wild elephant and human conflict have taken a serious turn along the Indo-Bhutan border in Baksa district. After one person was critically injured on Thursday night, death of two elephants by electrocution on the same night has come to the light.

Sensation prevailed in Baksa district after the incident took place in Nonke Korebari area near Batabari forest range of Baksa district, one of the hotspots of man-elephant conflict in Assam.

Two full-grown female elephants, which were coming down in search of food from the forest, got killed after coming into contact with a live electric fence that was installed around a paddy field in the area.

An official from the Batabari Forest Range office said, "It is a heart-wrenching sight. Both the dead elephants were female. They came down from the Bhutan hills in search of food. The forest department will arrange for post-mortem and to bury them. The person behind the killing has already surrendered and action will be taken against such heinous acts under the Forest Act."

The bodies of the elephants were found lying near the paddy field on Friday morning. The person who installed the electric fence to keep elephants at bay has been identified as one Hareswar Daimary. He Daimary later surrendered in Simla Police Station in Baksa. Illegal electric wiring put around agricultural fields is emerging as the biggest threat to wild animals, especially elephants. Since 2011 to 2019, a total of 90 wild elephants lost their lives by getting electrocuted in Assam. Such practices are mostly seen in villages along the Indo-Bhutan Border.

On the other hand, one person named Lubin Hrmbram from No 2 Dongargaon under Tamulpur police station in Baksa district was seriously injured when an isolated wild elephant attacked him on Thursday night at around 11.30 pm. In search of food, a big herd of wild elephants has been taking shelter along the Indo-Bhutan border near No 2 Dongargaon. At night, the herd of wild elephants splits into small groups and enters populated area in search of food.

On Thursday night, while Lubin went to his paddy field, an isolated wild elephant from the herd attacked him near the paddy field. As a result, Lubin got seriously injured. He was recovered at night by locals and was admitted in the local hospital. After providing first aid, he was referred to GMCH in a critical condition. People have demanded the government to take measures to protect human lives and their properties as well as the wild elephants.

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