Tripura: Elephant attack kills woman in Mungiakami; locals block Assam-Agartala highway

Agartala: Mungiakami area under Teliamura subdivision of Tripura’s Khowai district witnessed massive protests on Saturday after a woman was killed in an elephant attack.

Angry protesters blocked the Assam-Agartala National Highway and vandalised the local forest beat office.

The incident occurred late Friday night when a herd of elephants entered a human settlement near an elephant corridor and attacked houses, resulting in the death of 70-year-old Manimala Debbarma, a resident of Ramkrishna ADC village under Mungiakami RD block.

Angry locals placed the body on the Assam-Agartala National Highway on Saturday morning and staged a blockade, disrupting vehicular movement for several hours.

The protesters alleged negligence by forest department officials and claimed that incidents of human-elephant conflict in the area had been increasing. They also accused the administration of failing to respond promptly during emergencies.

Officials said a team comprising local forest personnel and the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) rushed to the spot but faced resistance from the crowd. The protesters allegedly chased them away and vandalised a nearby forest office.

Under heavy security deployment, the SDM and Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO) Dhiren Kaloi were later rescued from the area, police said. Local political workers also intervened to ensure the officials’ safety, sources added.

Two journalists who had gone to cover the protest were reportedly heckled by the crowd, with one of them sustaining injuries.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Teliamura, Rohan Keshan, said the situation had been brought under control and traffic movement restored.

“We have arranged sufficient security in the area to prevent further escalation. The SDM and SDFO faced resistance but were rescued unhurt,” he said.

The SDPO said the blockade was lifted after several rounds of discussions with the protesters.

Meanwhile, a candidate of the Tipra Motha party for the TTAADC elections visited the spot and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

Forest department officials were not immediately available for comment on the allegations.