Assam: Tusker electrocuted in Digboi; ivory taken out

OUR CORRESPONDENT

DIGBOI: As committed by BV Sandeep, IFS DFO Digboi, of desirable output, the forest department on Friday afternoon arrested Nitul Moran (32 years), son of Lalhikanta Moran of Upper Mamorani in Tinsukia district, for his alleged involvement in electrocution of a tusker whose ivory tusk was taken out on Thursday.

“Following an intense investigation and continued interrogation, the formal arrest was made here on Friday afternoon based on credible and tangible evidence and confessions of the accused,” stated a well-placed official of the forest department.

“We have recovered several objectionable materials and devices following a rigorous search operation from the possession of the accused,” added the official.

According to Montu Chetia, the Forest Range Officer of Lakhipather, a matured tusker had died of electrocution in a private tea garden here on Thursday afternoon at Ouguri village within the jurisdiction of Lakhipather forest range under Digboi Forest Division in Tinsukia district. The innocent tusker that might have emerged out of the West Block of the Upper Dehing Reserve Forest possibly in quest of fodder had fallen prey to an illegal electrification laid in the garden owned by the accused.

The department had intensified its search operation at the time of filing this report to recover the chopped ivory tusk which is around one foot in length.

The wildlife wardens, naturalists, and nature based NGOs appreciated the forest department for cracking down against the menace leading to the arrest of the culprit within a commendable short span of time.

The DFO, sounding alert to all concerned earlier in the morning, had said that the department would view the loss of any wildlife resources very seriously, and would show no leniency to either poachers or department personnel from the concerned jurisdiction found derelict in their duties.”

Meanwhile, the accused was prosecuted under the relevant sections which read as 9, 39, 40, 49B along with section 51 and 55 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

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