Assam: Rampaging jumbos invite public wrath around Gohpur

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Rampaging jumbos invite public wrath around Gohpur

From Our Correspondent

HALEM, Dec 21 – Depredations by wild elephants have registered an

increase in Gohpur subdivision of Sonitpur district in recent times.

 

Previously case of attack by wild elephants were recorded only at

Boroi and Bormahjan tea estates in Halem and Bormahjan mauzas under

Halem circle. But today cases are on record of the pachyderms

marauding immovable property and standing crops in entire Gohpur

mauza.

 

Incidentally, a herd of elephants turned very aggressive after a

calf accompanying the staty grey giants fell into a ditch and died

on December 7 at Dufflunghur TE under Halem PS. After post-mortem

was conducted on the body, it was buried in the area.

 

A forest guard sustained injuries at Bheluadanga area under Halem

mauza while attempting to chase away a herd of elephants by firing

into the air.

 

With only 13 forest employees at Singlijan Reserve Forest under

Halem mauza adjcent to Arunachal Pradesh, the numerical strength of

the staff is without doubt insufficient to save the huge area from

elephant depredations.

 

However, forest officer PP Kanu told this newspaper that they had

left no stone unturned to check devastation by the tuskers.

 

According to information gathered by this scribe, elephants have

demolished 20 houses. In Lohitmukh area alone eight dwelling houses

of M Kutum, Amerika Kutum, Dorget Kutum, D Kutum and Japan Kutum,

among others were razed to the ground. In the Namcharai Bahi

village, the houses of Jnanson Kutum, Matkai Kutum, Sennai and

Aminsaha Kutum were demolished according to a non-official report

received here.

 

Visiting the area, AGP leader Pranjal Patiri blamed the Government

for its failure to check extensive damage caused by the wandering

elephants. Demanding grant of adequate compensation to the victims

under Gahpur sub-division, Patiri also expressed concern as the area

of depredation had engulfed a sizeable portion of the jurisdiction

under reference.

 

On the other hand, damage inflicted by herds of wild elephants have

also been reported from Behali constituency under Biswanath sub-

division.

 

One Gaya Kiling (50) and Matilal Orang (45) were recently trampled

to death by a herd of wild elephants. Again, one Chaburi Khatun (25)

of Bedeli under (Behali) was also killed on the night of December 12.

 

Registering their collective protest, irate residents of the area

blocked National Highway 52 for two hours the following day for

failure of the Forest Department to save life and property of the

affected people.