Tamulpur (Assam), 27 October (HS): A man was killed in a wild elephant attack in the India-Bhutan border area of Assam’s Tamulpur district, triggering widespread anger among local residents over the growing human-elephant conflict.

According to the official information on Tuesday the deceased, Haunar Basumatary, a resident of No. 1 Paharpur village and a former BLT cadre, went to his paddy field to drive away a wild elephant that had entered the agricultural land. However, he was attacked by the elephants and died in the incident.

The incident has sparked resentment among residents of the border area, who have expressed anger against the Forest Department and the government over their alleged failure to contain the menace of wild elephants.

Local residents have demanded immediate, permanent and effective measures to prevent further elephant attacks and protect lives and agricultural fields.

Meanwhile, a joint team of the Forest Department and police took custody of the body and sent it for post-mortem examination. The Forest Department has initiated an investigation into the incident.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash