Death of elephants: Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya visits spot

A CORRESPONDENT

NAGAON: Forest Minister Parimal Suklabadya visited the Kandoli forest beat office area on Friday where lightning killed 18 elephants on Wednesday. The Minister was accompanied by a high-level team of Veterinary and Forest officials.

Meanwhile, the Department constituted an investigation committee headed by Deputy Conservator of Forest KK Deori. The committee will submit its preliminary report within three days and the final report within 15 days.

The committee has been allowed to undertake a detailed investigation of the local site, including water and salt lick quality, and carry out detailed fact findings from the fringe communities and the first informants.

The veterinary officials collected the samples of the dead elephants for the post-mortem.

Addressing the media later, Suklabaidya said, "Partial burning of the elephant bodies, burning of leaves of the nearby trees and other findings suggests lightning as the cause of death. However, the investigation will ascertain the real cause.

"Till today we found 18 bodies. Our officials are in search of more in the neighbouring areas. The carcasses of the pachyderms will be buried at the site."

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