Itanagar: A tragic human–wildlife conflict incident claimed the life of an Arunachal Pradesh Police officer in Lohit district, where an assistant sub-inspector was trampled to death by a wild elephant during a morning outing on Saturday.
The victim, ASI Martin Lego (40), posted at Sunpura police station, had gone to the Lohit riverbank with two friends when they unexpectedly encountered the elephant around 10.30 am.
While his companions managed to escape, Lego was attacked and fatally trampled, Lohit Superintendent of Police Thutan Jamba confirmed on Sunday.
Police registered an unnatural death case at Sunpura police station, and after post-mortem examination, the body was handed over to the family for last rites.
Officials said there had been no previous reports of elephant attacks in the Sunpura area, making the incident particularly alarming.
ALSO READ: All districts in Sikkim face major rainfall deficit, IMD reports
In response, the district administration is preparing to issue advisories urging residents to avoid forested and riverine zones, especially in vulnerable stretches.
The forest department has initiated steps to trace and capture the elephant.
Preliminary assessments suggest the animal may have been injured, which could have contributed to its aggressive behaviour, the report said.
Authorities said coordinated action between the police, forest department and district administration is underway to prevent further incidents and to enhance safety measures for villagers in wildlife-prone areas.
