Assam: Wild Elephants Wreak Havoc in Udalguri Along Indo-Bhutan Border, Several Homes Destroyed

As human-elephant conflict continues to escalate across Assam, the situation has turned particularly alarming in villages along the Indo-Bhutan border, where herds of wild elephants are raiding human settlements both day and night.

In the early hours of Wednesday, a herd of wild elephants descended from the Bhutan hills and caused widespread destruction in the Dimakuchi area of Udalguri district. At least three houses belonging to Sukumar Mandal were completely demolished, while several other families in the locality saw their homes reduced to rubble.

Betel nut plantations and standing crops were also extensively damaged. Miraculously, no human lives were lost in the overnight rampage.

Villages such as Dimakuchi, Rajagarh, Nalapara, Bamunjuli, Tengkibasti, Bogoritola, and Bhutiachang, all located along the international border, have been facing near-daily elephant raids for years. Residents are forced to stay awake throughout the night, banging utensils and lighting fires in a desperate bid to keep the herds away.

Local people alleged that despite repeated appeals, the forest department has utterly failed to implement any effective long-term solution. They accused officials and the government of remaining in “deep slumber” while the conflict worsens.

“Before every election, leaders come with tall promises of permanent solutions to the elephant menace. Once they win, they vanish. They don’t even bother to visit affected families or offer consolation, let alone compensation,” said a frustrated resident.

This year alone, several people have lost their lives to elephant attacks across the state, while a number of elephants have also died due to electrocution, poisoning, and other causes linked to the conflict.

Angry villagers have demanded immediate relief and compensation for the affected families and urged the state government to take concrete steps towards a lasting resolution, warning that public resentment is reaching a boiling point due to years of official inaction.

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