Four Villagers, Including Two Minors, Trampled to Death by Wild Elephants in Assam

Four villagers, including two minor boys, were tragically killed by wild elephants in the hill district of Karbi Anglong in Assam on Thursday. The victims have been identified as Kania Toria (55), Ribika Kerketta (28), Geseya Kerketta (3), and one-and-a-half-year-old Augustin Karmakar, all of whom were from Bormanthi village.

According to forest department officials, the incident occurred around noon when Kania and Ribika were cutting grass in an isolated area near Bokajan town. The two boys were with them at the time. “Elephants have been roaming around this village to eat paddy. Since it is the harvesting season, we have also deployed forest guards in the village, especially at night time. But this incident was beyond our control,” said Pranab Terang, the range officer of Eastern Range (Bokajan).

The bodies of the four victims will be sent for post-mortem on Friday. Forest officials mentioned that while wild elephants frequently come down to the village from the nearby hills, such deaths have not been reported in the area for several months. “With the support of village volunteers, we have been able to prevent human deaths here, but this incident was totally unexpected,” said a forest official.

The tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of human-wildlife conflict in Assam. As the elephants venture into human settlements in search of food, they often come into direct contact with villagers, resulting in casualties on both sides. Efforts have been made to mitigate the conflict, including the deployment of forest guards and the establishment of measures to protect crops and property.

However, incidents like these remind us that more needs to be done to ensure the safety of both humans and elephants. Conservationists and local authorities must work together to find sustainable solutions that address the needs of both communities. This includes implementing effective strategies to prevent elephants from entering villages and providing alternative food sources for them in their natural habitats.

The loss of four lives is a tragic reminder of the challenges faced by communities living in close proximity to wildlife. It is crucial that we prioritize the protection of both human and animal lives and work towards creating a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.