KALAIGAON, May 18 - Adding to the gradually growing tally of human-elephant conflict in Udalguri district, two more persons, namely Cittaranjan Daimari (66) of Jalakiabari village near Amlaiguri and Sukram Praja (65) of Jwlani Tea Estate of No. 4 Amjuli were trampled by a wild loner elephant on the morning of May 17.
According to information available, Cittaranjam Daimari had been working in his chilli plantation while the elephant attacked him without any provocation, killing him instantly.
The same loner also killed Sukram Praja, working in a private tea garden. His trampled body was found only in the afternoon.
The same loner elephant also attacked another person on May 17 at Ghoradak village at around 6.30 am.Though the man survived the attack, but one of his leg was fractured.
So far, more than 115 people and 55 wild elephants have lost their lives in the district during the last six years. During the current year, four persons have till date been killed by wild elephants at various places of the district.
The local people allege that the Forest department did nothing to protect both men and animals in the district. A few wildlife activists living in the northern Indo-Bhutan villages expressed regret over the absence of a DFO in Udalguri district. They also alleged that most Forest officials were perennially busy in collection of commission from illegal operators of sand/stone mining activities and also from sand /stone-carrying dumpers.
