Laden– the tuskless elephant, which was on a killing spree since the past 5-6 years in the Indo-Bhutan border areas in Udlaguri district of Assam, was found dead on Wednesday morning.
The carcass of the elephant was discovered from a field at Bolatar village under Nonai Reserve Forest.
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Laden, until its death, had trampled over 70 lives in the area.
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Forest officials and veterinary experts after inspection said the elephant might have been electrocuted by angry villagers.
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“We suspect that the elephant was electrocuted by the angry villagers,” informed a forest official.
“As the elephant had killed over 70 persons in the last 5-6 years, the villagers may have taken the action in retaliation,” he added.
The elephant was named Laden by the petrified villagers of Bholatar village after it went on a rampage, killing several persons within a short time.
Talking to Northeast Now a villager seeking anonymity said, “The elephant had petrified the villagers for years.”
“Coming from an agrarian community, we on several occasions have to venture in the night and Laden was a terror for us as we were not sure as to when he would attack,” the villager added.
“If it was not very urgent then we don’t step out after nightfall in fear of the dead elephant. The forest officials also don’t come for our rescue citing manpower shortage,” he added.
As per official data in 2019, so far 18 persons have been trampled to death by elephants and in retaliation 4 elephants have also been killed.
“The retaliatory killing of elephants by villagers due the lackadaisical attitude of the government is a warning bell as there are a couple of such loners which are still at large in the region,” said Wildlife activist Nabajyoti Baruah.