Rogue Elephant Kills 44 in India
A wild elephant has killed at least 44 people, spreading fear and panic among villagers in India’s northeastern Assam state, police and forest officials said Saturday.
Forest officials called in five marksmen to find and destroy the animal.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed, as the elephant is still at large and can strike again,” said Kartick Bora, a state police official in Tezpur, the main town in the area.
The elephant rampaged through Thelamara, Muslim Char and Butamari villages, police said.
Fearful villagers are keeping all-night vigils.
“We have our torches ready and sit through the night beating our drums, praying that the light and noise will keep the elephant away,” said Amir Ali, a resident of Butamari.
Forest officials said elephants have been turning violent because of humans encroaching into forest areas. More than 100 people in India have been killed by wild elephants in the last five years.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
