Kokrajhar (Assam), 03 November (HS): The Kokrajhar district administration has imposed prohibitory restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, following the sighting of a female Royal Bengal Tiger in a forest-adjacent area of Geleguri village under Dotma Revenue Circle. The tigress is suspected to have strayed into Assam from neighbouring West Bengal.

District Magistrate Pankaj Chakravarty issued the prohibitory order with immediate effect, citing concerns over public safety and possible disruption of the ongoing operation to safely capture the animal.

According to a report submitted by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Kachugaon Forest Division, the movement of the tigress has been observed near Geleguri village since November 2. The Forest Department, along with teams from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), is conducting an operation to safely capture the animal.

The administration has declared a five-kilometre radius around Geleguri village as a restricted and buffer zone. The area covers Geleguri, East Bongsigaon, West Dangarkhuti, North Bhalukmari, South Dakshin Dangarkhuti and Ghoramari villages.

Under the order, the assembly of five or more people for watching or chasing the tigress has been prohibited. Entry into forests and forest areas within the restricted zone is also barred without prior permission from the DFO of Haltugaon or Kachugaon Forest Division.

The restrictions also prohibit carrying firearms, traditional sharp weapons, spears, nets, traps and poison. Bursting firecrackers, beating drums, using loudspeakers, lighting fires, using flashlights to track the animal and operating private drones have also been banned. Unauthorised photography and videography of the forest department's operation are prohibited.

The administration has further warned against spreading rumours or misleading information on social media, including claims that the tigress is a man-eater or has been shot dead.

However, the restrictions will not apply to authorised capture teams of the Assam Forest Department, veterinary teams, WII and NTCA experts, police personnel, magistrates, SDRF teams, forest protection staff on duty and government officials engaged in maintaining law and order and disseminating information.

The order came into force immediately and will remain effective until the DFO officially declares the operation concluded. Violators will face legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

The district administration has appealed to residents of the affected villages and adjoining areas to strictly comply with the restrictions, maintain a safe distance from the tigress and avoid gathering near the operation site. It said public cooperation was essential to ensure the safety of residents and facilitate the safe capture of the animal.-------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash