Tea worker trampled to death by wild elephant in Udalguri

A Correspondent

ORANG: The escalating human-elephant conflict in Assam’s Udalguri district turned tragic once again as a tea garden worker was killed in a wild elephant attack early on Thursday morning at Badalapara tea estate in Dimakuchi. The victim, identified as Ranjit Kujur, was reportedly on his way home at around 5 AM when a wild elephant emerged from the forest and trampled him on the road. He was rushed to the Udalguri Civil Hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries.

Eyewitnesses said that the elephant attack happened in full public view, leading to widespread panic and outrage among locals. In response, hundreds of workers halted all operations at the tea estate and staged a massive protest in front of the garden office. Protesters shouted slogans such as ‘Down with the Forest Department,’ ‘Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary Go Back,’ ‘Stop Human-Elephant Conflict,’ and ‘Ensure Safety for Common People from Wild Elephants.’

The All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA), leading the agitation, held the forest authorities and the state government responsible for repeated failures in preventing such tragic incidents, especially in the sensitive India-Bhutan border areas where human-elephant conflict has become increasingly frequent. Protesters demanded immediate and permanent solutions to the crisis, citing recent incidents of wild elephants destroying property and threatening human lives in areas such as Dimakuchi, Rajagarh, Badalapara, Bogrital, Tengibasti, and Nalapara.

As tensions escalated, officials from the forest department and the sub-divisional administration of Bhergaon rushed to the scene. Ranger Rajen Daimari from Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary held a discussion with the AASAA leadership and local citizens, assuring swift and appropriate action to mitigate the threat. Meanwhile, Dimakuchi police arrived at the spot to control the situation and maintain law and order.

Speaking to the media, Babul Paik, President of AASAA’s Udalguri District Committee, strongly criticized the inaction of elected representatives, the forest department, and the State Government. He urged all concerned authorities to urgently address the issue and implement effective wildlife management measures to protect the lives and livelihoods of people living near forest areas.

Also Read: Wild elephant rampage kills one, injures four in Assam border village

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