Assam: Wild Jumbos Cause Chaos at Narengi Military Station

Guwahati, December 6, 2019:

On December 3, a wild jumbo injured a person at the Narengi Military Station in Guwahati, Assam. It has been reported that the incident occurred on the early hours of the morning as the unsuspecting victim was surprised by a rogue elephant, which charged him.

When he took cover behind a structure, the tusker rammed it, causing serious injuries to the man.

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Narangi Military Station is adjacent to the Amchang Jorabat forest, and hence, movement and presence of elephants is a routine feature in the area. Availability of wide open areas, vegetation and forest cover ensures permanent presence of about 10-14 elephants.

In past, there were reports of injury to animals in the area surrounding the camp, but the army argues that the Military Station had a strong tradition of being wildlife friendly, and that due to rampant encroachment and unregulated construction, the traditional migration routes of the elephants had been blocked.

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Time to time, elephants have also been rescued inside the Narangi military station a number of times.

Of late, there have been reports of much larger herd of elephants (even up to 24) in the area. They cause destruction and enter the colonies in hunt of food and rations. This often causes disruptions and threat to human lives, especially children and women, it has been reported.

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