Arunachal Tiger Attack: Head Constable Chiksen Mangpang Laid to Rest with State Honours

GUWAHATI: The last rites of Head Constable Chiksen Mangpang, who was killed in a tiger attack near Mayodia in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley district, were performed with full state honours on Wednesday. The Arunachal Pradesh government has announced ₹10 lakh as ex-gratia compensation for the bereaved family.

Mangpang, a resident of Manfaiseng village in Namsai district, was returning home alone from Anini to Roing on Sunday night after completing duty when the incident is believed to have taken place.

How the Incident Unfolded

According to Roing Police, the incident occurred along the forested Mayodia Road, around 49 kilometres from Roing town. Police were alerted late at night after a motorcycle was found abandoned on the roadside, with its key still in the ignition, while the rider was missing.

“This information was received from a point near Mayodia. The bike was found in an abandoned condition and the key was still on the ignition,” a police official said.

Soon after, videos surfaced on social media showing two tigers moving in the same area, strengthening suspicion of a wildlife attack. A truck driver travelling along the Mayodia stretch also told officials that he saw a large animal dragging the biker off the road.

Based on these inputs, police suspected a tiger attack.

Mangpang’s motorcycle, bearing registration number AR-20-9866, was later recovered from the spot. Joint forest and police teams launched a night-long search operation, but the victim could not be traced immediately due to darkness and dense forest cover.

His severely mauled body was later recovered from a deep gorge, confirming the fatality.

Forest Department Response

Confirming the recovery, Roing Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Mito Rumi (APFS) said forest teams were deployed immediately after receiving the alert.

“Search operations were carried out during the night, but the victim could not be traced then. Later, joint forest and police teams recovered the body,” Rumi said.

He added that efforts are under way to identify the animal responsible, and a medical team will conduct a detailed examination of the injuries.

Following reports of three adult tigers being active in the area, expert teams from Namdapha, Pakke and Kamlang Tiger Reserves have been deployed. A senior veterinary team from Itanagar, equipped with darting guns and tranquilising drugs, has also been pressed into service. Night patrolling has been intensified in and around the Mayodia stretch.

Travel Restrictions and Advisory

In view of the situation, the Lower Dibang Valley district administration has imposed a ban on two-wheeler movement across the entire hilly stretch from Roing to Anini. Police have advised commuters to avoid night travel, particularly on motorcycles, and to use four-wheelers for safety.

Family members of Mangpang rushed to the area after losing contact with him. Relatives said he had spoken to a friend in Roing while returning from Anini on Sunday evening and had asked him to prepare dinner, but he never reached home.

Police said video footage related to the incident has been collected and further investigation is under way, while authorities have urged travellers to exercise extreme caution while passing through the Mayodia stretch.

Minister Reviews Situation

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Forest Minister Wanki Lowang held a review meeting with senior officers of the Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change following the incident along the Roing–Mayodia road inside the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary.

“The loss of human life is profoundly painful. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased in this moment of immense grief,” the minister said after the meeting.

He said the government has initiated several immediate measures, including the deployment of expert veterinary teams and wildlife specialists, mobilisation of STPF guards and field staff, and the constitution of a technical expert committee for continuous monitoring. Permission has also been granted for the safe capture and rehabilitation of the animal, in line with national protocols.

The minister added that all actions are being carried out with utmost sensitivity, prioritising human safety while ensuring responsible and ethical wildlife management.

Also Read: Man-Eater Fear After Suspected Tiger Attack Claims Policeman’s Life in Arunachal