Forest Guard Killed by Elephant in Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Old Firearms Blamed
Guard's Rifle Malfunctions, Unable to Defend Himself
In Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday night, a wild elephant murdered a forest guard. According to sources in the forest department, the guard's ancient rifle malfunctioned, therefore he was unable to protect himself from the assault.
A female elephant and her newborn calf assaulted Rithey Subba, 44, and the other four forest guards when they were patrolling Jogendranagar, around 40 miles from Alipurduar town in the Bangdaki beat of the sanctuary.
"Subba fired a blank shot into the air in an attempt to protect himself. But his gun was outdated and broke down, according to a source with the forest department.
After being sent to the Falakata super-specialty hospital, Subba passed away from his wounds.
When another pair of forest guards' weapons malfunctioned in a different area of the sanctuary on Saturday night, the claims that the forest guards are at danger due to outdated and defective weaponry gained further support.
Two additional forest guards, Samarjit Barman and Rafiqul Islam, reportedly had a fortunate escape from an elephant assault on Saturday night in Mayradangi beat of the western range of Jaldapara, according to a source in the forest department.
The informant said that "when they were trying to drive a wild elephant into the forest, their firearms also malfunctioned." "But they had a lucky escape."
An official acknowledged that the use of antiquated firearms by forest guards puts their lives at danger.
Regarding Subba's death, Jaldapara's extra conservator for wildlife, Navojit Dey, stated: "It was an unfortunate incident." The surviving family members of the deceased will get payment.
After three days, Subba's death marked the sixth victim of an elephant attack in the Dooars.
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