Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha visited the home of an elderly woman who was fatally attacked by a wild elephant in Khowai district. The victim, identified as 70-year-old Manimala Debbarma, was attacked in her courtyard in Jumbari village. Saha, before an election rally, consoled the bereaved family and promised government assistance.
Expressing deep grief, the Chief Minister assured the family of government support during this tough time. The family received financial aid of Rs 4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund and an additional Rs 1 lakh from the Forest Department. Saha, accompanied by BJP’s Sambit Patra, also met with the victim’s family members.
The victim’s son recounted the tragic incident where the elephant fatally injured his mother. The incident sparked anger among locals, resulting in a tense situation in the area. Eyewitnesses reported attacks on officials and a journalist, with the situation escalating into chaos resembling a battleground.
The region has a history of human-elephant conflicts, with several fatalities in recent years. Such encounters are common in Northeastern states due to habitat encroachment and resource scarcity. Wild elephants often stray from forests in search of food and water, leading to fatal interactions with humans. Residents sometimes resort to electric fences near forested areas, posing risks to both humans and elephants.
