Assam min orders probe into death of elephants

Forest minister asks officials to submit preliminary report of inquiry within 3 days

Assam forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya who on Friday visited the remote hills where at least 18 elephants were killed said that preliminary investigation indicates that wild elephants were killed due to electrocution caused by lightning, however the exact reason will be known once the postmortem report comes.

Mr Suklabaidya expressing deep concern and grief over the unfortunate incident told reporters, “An enquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of exact death. The preliminary report of inquiry has been asked to be submitted within three days and a detailed investigation report within 15 days.”

In what has left the wildlife lovers and activists into tears at least 18 wild elephants were found dead atop Bamuni Hills in Assam's Nagaon district on Thursday after lightning struck them during the showers in the area probably on Wednesday night.

The state forest department officials said that as per preliminary investigation, the animals appear to have been killed in a lightning strike.

The incident took place in Kandoli Proposed Reserved Forest (PRF) in Kathiatoli range of Nagaon forest Division.

“Local villagers informed us about the death of the elephants. We rushed to the spot and found them lying on the ground. We have sent the carcasses for post-mortem,” said a forest official.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Amit Sahay who also accompanied the forest minister said, "The area is very remote and our team could reach here on Thursday afternoon. It was found that carcasses were lying in two groups. Fourteen were lying atop the hill and four were found at the bottom of the hill.”

Meanwhile, forest guards and wildlife activists engaged in wildlife conservation works also reached the incident site and were in tears to see the carcass of 18 wild elephants who frequented the areas. A forest guard claimed that this herd of wild elephants had never harmed the human habitation and was considered to be harmless for the nearby villages.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has also expressed concern over the incident and said that he was deeply pained by the unfortunate incident.

A FOREST guard claimed that this herd of wild elephants had never harmed the human habitation and was considered to be harmless for the nearby villages

—PTI A village woman pays tribute a wild elephant which is believed to have died after Thursdays lightning strike, at Bamuni hills in Nagaon district, on Friday.