United People Party Liberal (UPPL) candidate of Nonoi Serfang BTC constituency, Krishna Bahadur Giri — whose major contenders are likely to be sitting BPF MCLA (Member Council of Legislative Assembly) Suresh Tanti and BJP candidate Sanjit Tanti — has promised people to address the man-elephant conflict in villages along the India-Bhutan border in Udalguri district of Assam.
“Along with other key issues such as development, peace, potable drinking water, another major issue which is part of my election manifesto is man-elephant conflict which has reached an alarming stage in Udalguri and Baksa districts. It needs immediate attention and a pragmatic approach. If voted to power, I will try to resolve this issue and reduce causalities by engaging wildlife experts The people of the constituency are desperately looking for a permanent solution,” Giri said.
“Many poor and innocent peasants are either killed or maimed in elephant depredation. Several of them are left to protect themselves while killer elephants are on the rampage in human habitats, causing loss of lives and properties. Hardly a day passes without the news of elephant attack in Udalguri and Baksa. Killing of elephants by enraged villagers is also a matter of concern.”
According to statistics of the Dhansiri forest division, 21 human and eight elephant deaths were recorded in Udalguri district in 2019. Unofficial data claims 24 people died in elephant attack this year.
“Every dweller who has been living on government land irrespective of caste, creed, community and religion must be given land pattas,” Giri said.
Gopal Sarma, a local Gorkha student body leader, thanked the UPPL for giving candidature to Giri who, he claimed, would represent the three lakh Gorkhas residing in the Bodo belt.
Official arrives: The general observer for 13-Chirang (ST), 14-Chirang Duars (ST) and 15-Kajalgaon (ST) constituencies, Majnur Hussain, reached Kajalgaon in Chirang district on Wednesday and held a meeting with the deputy commissioner Gautam Talukdar who is also the returning officer of these constituencies, assistant returning officers and district police.
Additional reporting by Rinoy Basumatary in Kokrajhar
