Guwahati: In separate incidents on Tuesday, two individuals, including a Class 6 student, were injured in Assam due to misfired shots by forest guards.
The incidents occurred in Nalbari and Hojai districts, with officials confirming injuries linked to attempts to manage human-wildlife conflicts.
The first incident unfolded in Nalbari’s Balitara area, where forest guards from the Barpeta Forest Office were attempting to disperse a group of around 12 wild elephants disrupting local fields and damaging crops. During the operation, a stray bullet struck a young boy, injuring his leg.
The injured boy was taken to Nalbari Medical College and Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. Following the incident, local villagers detained the forest personnel until police intervened to assist in their safe departure.
In a separate occurrence at Nakhuti in Lanka, Hojai district, eight women had entered the Lumding Reserve Forest to collect firewood when forest guards fired upon them, resulting in a woman suffering bullet injuries to her head and back. She was admitted to Hojai Civil Hospital for treatment.
Police have launched investigations in both locations, seeking to determine the circumstances and potential lapses that led to these unfortunate incidents. The events underscore ongoing tensions as authorities work to balance wildlife management with community safety amidst increasing human-wildlife encounters in the region.
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