Dibrugarh, Dec 1: A 52-year-old man, Ajoy Bhumij, was trampled to death by a wild elephant at Tokowoni village under the Doomdooma Forest Division in Tinsukia district on Monday morning.
According to reports, the incident occurred in the early hours when Bhumij stepped out into his backyard garden.
“He was suddenly charged by the elephant, which trampled him to death,” a local resident said.
The elephant is believed to have strayed from a herd originating in the Duarmara Reserve Forest, a critical part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve corridor.
Villagers said elephants frequently wander into settlements and farmlands due to shrinking forest cover and food scarcity in their natural habitat. Such incursions have become alarmingly common, leaving communities in a constant state of fear.
The tragedy triggered anger among residents, who alleged a significant delay in the Forest Department’s response.
Officials have confirmed that financial assistance will be provided to the deceased’s family. Bhumij is survived by his wife and three young children.
The state government recently notified the Gaja Mitra Scheme Guidelines, aimed at fostering community-based coexistence through habitat improvement, early-warning systems and rapid response mechanisms. Under the guidelines, districts with high human-elephant conflict will form Gaja Mitra volunteer teams comprising eight trained local residents.
Each volunteer will receive a monthly allowance of Ra 500, along with a uniform, megaphone and torch. Any volunteer death during elephant depredation incidents will be treated as on-duty, with an ex-gratia support of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin.
