Deomali, Aug 1: In a tragic continuation of human-elephant conflicts in Tirap District, a third fatal incident occurred on the night of July 31. Jatphok Sawin of Thalot village was attacked and killed by a wild elephant within his residential premises.
This incident follows two previous fatalities in the region. On July 9, former MLA of Khonsa North, Kapchen Rajkumar, was trampled to death by a wild elephant during his morning walk from Namsang village to Deomali town. 
On July 28, Dhiren Tati, a 46-year-old tea garden labourer, was killed when a wild elephant entered his residence in Aghuripather, between Namsang and Deomali, and trampled him to death. 
In response to the latest incident, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Deomali,  Chimoy Simai, visited Thalot village to meet the bereaved family and oversee necessary formalities. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the forest department, including a shortage of personnel and the difficulty of tracking elephants in dense forests, especially during nighttime when these animals are most active. The official also highlighted the initiatives by the forest department such as 24×7 patrolling duties, Distribution of firecrackers as precautionary measures, Compensating ex-gratia for crop damage and human or animal deaths caused by elephants among others.
Simai advised local residents to remain vigilant and avoid leaving food waste such as rice beer residues, bananas, and tapioca near their homes, as these attract elephants. He recommended planting king chili plants around residential areas as a deterrent. Furthermore, he announced plans to convene an emergency coordination meeting involving the Forest Department, District Administration, local chiefs, ZPMs, and Gaon Buras to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the issue.
Deomali ZPM,  Wangphoon Lowang, expressed deep concern over the situation, noting that fear of elephant attacks has disrupted daily activities, including farming and school attendance. He urged the Forest Department to take immediate and effective measures to identify and manage the rogue elephant responsible for these attacks. Lowang also recalled his previous initiative on March 28, where he filed a complaint regarding wild elephant encroachments in Deomali town, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to prevent further loss of human life.
The Forest Department has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of residents while balancing wildlife conservation efforts. Residents are urged to report any elephant sightings promptly and adhere to safety guidelines issued by authorities.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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