Speeding train mows down five wild jumbos in Assam
Guwahati, Feb 11 (IBNS): Four adult elephants were killed and one seriously injured after being hit by a speeding passenger train in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district last night.
The elephants were hit by the 15611 Up Guwahati-Silchar passenger train at around 9-40 pm when the herd was trying to cross the railway track.
The incident took place at Hawaipur area in Karbi Anglong district and bordering area of Hojai district, about 182 km from Guwahati.
The incident in an area known to be the elephant corridor.
After hitting the elephants, the engine of the passenger train derailed.
There is no report of any passenger receiving injuries.
Meanwhile local forest officials alleged that, the incident happened only because of railway department negligence.
Forest Beat Officer of Lanka in Hojai district Prabin Saikia said that, forest staffs were engaged in duty at the area since evening and also informed the railway officials at railway station about presence of elephants at the area and asked them to control speed limit of train.
“But the train was running in full speed by violating maximum limit of 30-35 km per hour. This incident happened only because of the railway department's negligence,” the forest official said.
On the other hand, Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO) of NF Railway Pranab Jyoti Sarma said that, it is an unfortunate incident and the train driver had tried by using his all efforts to save the elephants lives
“The incident happened around 9-40 last evening and took place between Hawaipur and Lamsikham of Lumding division. The train was on its way from Guwahati to Silchar and moving at 30 km per hour. The area is not a notified corridor and the driver reportedly applied emergency brakes and he slowed down the train. But the train collided with a few baby elephants surrounded by several adult elephants,” the NF Railway CPRO said.
On December 10 last year, at least five adult elephants and a calf died after the Guwahati-Naharlagun Express hit them at Balipara in Assam's Sonitpur district.
On November 19 last year, two adult elephants were killed after being hit by speeding train near Thakurkuchi railway station located close to Guwahati.
According to the reports, over 150 wild elephants have died unnaturally in Assam between 2013 and 2017.
Due to large scale deforestation, elephants have lost their natural habitats and have been forced to come out in plain areas in search of foods.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
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