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

GUWAHATI: A suspected tiger attack on the forested Mayodia Road in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley district has left a police personnel dead, prompting heightened security measures and an intensified search and monitoring operation by forest and police authorities.

According to Roing Police, the incident occurred at a location near Mayodia, around 49 kilometres from Roing town. Police said they received information after a motorcycle was found standing abandoned on the roadside late at night 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 from Roing said.

Videos that later surfaced on social media showed two tigers moving in the area where the motorcycle was found. Based on the visuals and preliminary inputs, police suspected a wildlife attack.

“As per the videos circulating on social media, two tigers were spotted at the location. Considering the circumstances, there was a strong possibility that the rider may have been attacked,” the police official added.

The deceased was later identified as Chiksen Mangpang, a head constable from Manfaiseng village in Namsai district. He was returning home alone after duty on Sunday night when the incident is believed to have taken place.

A truck driver travelling through the Mayodia stretch told officials that he witnessed a large animal dragging the biker off the road. 

“He said he saw a big animal pulling the rider away from the roadside. Based on his statement, a tiger attack is suspected,” a police source said.

Mangpang’s motorcycle, bearing registration number AR-20-9866, was later recovered from the roadside, further strengthening the suspicion of a wild animal attack.

Following the report, forest and police teams launched a search operation during the night. However, due to darkness and dense forest cover, the victim could not be traced immediately. His severely mauled body was recovered later, confirming the fatality.

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

“After getting the input, forest teams were sent to the site and investigation started the same day. 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 determine the animal responsible for the attack.

“We still need to confirm which animal was involved. Based on police inputs, a medical team will conduct a detailed examination of the injuries,” the DFO said.

In response to the incident, night patrolling has been intensified in the Mayodia area. The forest officials have also deployed expert teams, including a senior veterinary unit from Itanagar equipped with darting guns and tranquilising drugs.

“Teams from Namdapha, Pakke and Kamlang tiger reserves are being sent as per instructions from headquarters to assist in the operation,” Rumi added.

Police have meanwhile issued an advisory urging people to avoid two-wheeler travel along the Mayodia route, especially at night.

“Due to the movement of wild animals in the area, two-wheeler travel should be avoided. Four-wheeler travel is being advised for safety reasons,” a police official said.

Family members of the deceased rushed to the area after losing contact with Mangpang. 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 from Roing Police and further investigation is in progress. Meanwhile, the police officials and the forest department have advised commuters to exercise extreme caution while travelling through the Mayodia stretch, particularly during evening and night hours.

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