Forest Guard Fatally Attacked by Tiger in Orang National Park

Orang National Park, Assam: A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday evening, August 28, 2024, when a forest guard was fatally attacked by a Royal Bengal Tiger. Dhanmoni Deka, a 32-year-old forest guard, was patrolling the Bilpara range with a fellow guard when the attack took place.

According to reports, the tiger pounced on Deka and dragged him into the dense forest.Despite attempts by the other guard to scare the animal away with warning shots, the tiger did not relent. Deka's mutilated body was later found by forest officials approximately 3 kilometers from the Kheroni camp.

The incident has prompted concerns among local villagers and forest officials. DFO Pradipta Barua expressed concern that the tiger, having "tasted human blood," may now pose a greater threat. Efforts are underway to identify the tiger using pugmarks and camera traps to ensure the safety of future patrols.

The Darrang Superintendent of Police, Prakash Sonowal, added that while Deka was a casual home guard, the authorities would provide all necessary support to his family. Deka was from Nagaon-Hatimara village and had been married just seven months before his untimely death.

In the wake of the incident, local villagers have called for a thorough investigation and demanded Rs. 30 lakhs in ex-gratia compensation. They have also demanded government intervention to prevent similar tragedies in the future.