(IN): Rights glare on zoo safety

January 10, 2008

*Rights glare on zoo safety*

A STAFF REPORTER

*Guwahati, Jan. 9: *The Assam Human Rights Commission today directed the

chief conservator of forests (wildlife), M.C. Malakar, to conduct an inquiry

into safety measures at the Assam state zoo.

The rights panel's move came in the wake of a complaint lodged by the family

of 50-year-old Jayprakash Bezbaruah who died after being mauled by two Royal

Bengal tigers at the zoo on December 19.

The victim's brother-in-law Deep Bordoloi and his elder brother Sarat

Bezbaruah had blamed the zoo officials for lack of safety measures.

Serving the notice, chairman of the AHRC, Sujit Barman Roy, asked the forest

official to submit a report based on his findings, to the commission by

February 26.

It wanted to know whether the zoo authorities had provided the necessary

safeguards to the visitors.

In the complaint, Jayprakash's family claimed that his death could have been

averted had there been adequate safety arrangements.

" The complainants alleged that there was no guard in front of the cage and

the safety barrier was also not adequate, " AHRC secretary Abdul Khalique

said.

" The petitioners also pointed out that as Jayprakash was the sole

breadwinner for his family, his wife and two sons — aged 15 and seven — were

going through immense hardship following his death. "

The zoo authorities said the tigers attacked the visitor when he crossed the

first barricade put up in front of the enclosure, violating safety norms.

Jayprakash ventured too close to the enclosure despite repeated warnings

from the zoo-keepers. He then stretched his arm inside the tigers' enclosure

to click with his digital camera.

Malakar was also asked to inquire whether failure of the zoo authorities had

led to Jayprakash's death. The commission will give a final verdict after

getting the report, Khalique said.

--

United against elephant polo

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