Reported by: Laxman Sharma
DIGBOI : Two separate but disturbing elephant-related incidents in Tinsukia district-one involving the death of a calf and another involving tusk mutilation earlier in mid-April remain unresolved, raising growing concerns over the effectiveness of forest department response and ground-level action.
The cases include the death of a 13-month old elephant calf, Lakhmini, in Kumsang Reserved Forest on April 18, and the hacking of tusks of an eight-year old elephant in the Digboi division on April 12.
Both incidents have sparked serious questions about the pace of investigation and follow-up enforcement on the ground.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Assam, has ordered an inquiry into the calf’s death, assigning Dibrugarh DFO Nandha Kumar (IFS) to lead the probe.
Sources said the investigation is in progress with site inspections, document collection and initial interactions already completed. Further questioning based on field findings and technical inputs is expected.
Officials from the Doomdooma Forest Department stated that statements of at least four individuals have been recorded so far, and more people are likely to be questioned as the probe continues.
An expert veterinary team is also expected to be involved to examine medical and technical aspects of the case, which may be key to determining the exact cause of death.
Despite these measures, the precise cause of the calf’s death has not yet been established and the matter remains under investigation.
Local sources have raised allegations ranging from negligence to inadequate veterinary supervision, though none of these claims have been officially confirmed.
The emotional impact of the incident has also deepened, with reports suggesting that the mother elephant, Jayamati has been visibly distressed since the calf’s death, adding to public concern.
More troubling reports suggest that both affected elephants have shown signs of deteriorating health, with claims that they are weak and struggling to feed properly.
In the tusk mutilation case, concerns have also been raised over post-incident care and handling, with allegations that the animal was tethered for long durations and reluctant to feed. However, these claims remain unverified and have not been confirmed by forest authorities.
Meanwhile, in the April 12 Digboi tusk mutilation case, the stolen ivory tusk has not been recovered so far, despite sustained questioning of a suspected facilitator linked to the Doomdooma division over two days.
The lack of progress in both recovery and case resolution has raised questions about investigative efficiency and enforcement response in the Digboi forest division.
A local wildlife activist said on Tuesday that enforcement constraints during the Model Code of Conduct period after the Assembly elections contributed to delays in administrative action. However, with the new government in place and Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma sworn in, there is now expectation of a more time-bound and focused investigation.
Wildlife conservationist Devajit Moran has also pointed to procedural lapses in both cases, raising concerns over investigative gaps and missing forensic steps.
While Wildlife SOS has denied any wrongdoing, stating that its operations were carried out in coordination with the forest department and in line with standard procedures, the absence of clear outcomes has kept both matters under scrutiny.
Forest officials maintain that final conclusions will depend on post-mortem and veterinary reports. However, with both cases still unresolved, concerns continue to grow over delays in decisive action and monitoring mechanisms.
At present, the twin incident-one involving elephant mortality and the other tusk mutilation continue to test the forest department’s response system, even as attention increasingly shifts to the welfare and deteriorating condition of the affected elephants in the field.