Doomdooma: A 39-year-old man was allegedly killed in a wild elephant attack on Monday evening along the Sidha Pul–Lakhipathar link road near Gorbasti under the Lakhipathar Range of the Digboi Forest Division in Assam’s Tinsukia district, triggering protests demanding urgent measures to address recurring human-elephant conflict.
The deceased, Umakanta Moran, was from Mamoroni village. Angry residents placed his body on National Highway-315 and blocked the road, demanding immediate action to prevent further elephant attacks.
“We have been living with the threat of elephants for decades. Human lives cannot continue to be lost like this. The authorities must find a permanent solution instead of responding only after a death,” protesters said.
Police personnel and Forest Department officials reached the site soon after the incident and initiated an inquiry. Moran’s body was subsequently sent for post-mortem examination.
The protest was backed by the All Moran Students’ Union (AMSU), Digboi regional committee and its affiliated units. The protesters sought immediate relief for the bereaved family and long-term safeguards for communities living along elephant movement routes.
“Umakanta’s wife is five months pregnant and their two-year-old daughter has lost her father. The government must stand by this family and also protect other villagers from similar tragedies,” protesters said.
AMSU later submitted a memorandum addressed to Tinsukia District Commissioner Sumit Sattawan through officials present at the site. It sought Rs 20 lakh in compensation, educational support for Moran’s daughter until she completes postgraduate studies, and financial support for the unborn child until the age of 18.
The protesters also demanded a Grade-IV government job for Moran’s wife.
They further sought clearance of dense vegetation along both sides of the road, installation of streetlights and an electric fence to reduce the risk of encounters with elephants.
The incident comes amid incrasing human-elephant conflicts owing to habitat fragmentation, degradation, shrinking food and water availability, disrupted elephant corridors and expanding human settlements, which the Union Environment Ministry identifies as major drivers of human-wildlife conflict.