Five wild elephants including a pregnant female were killed after being hit by a train in Assam¡¯s Balipara area.? The incident took place around 1.15 am in? Bagaon tea estate when the herd crossing the train track got hit by Guwahati-Naharlagun Donyi Polo Express.
PTI
All five elephants died on the spot while a stillborn calf was extracted from the pregnant female. Three weeks ago, a similar incident had killed two elephants in Assam¡¯s Thakurkuchi after they got hit by Awadh Assam Express.
¡°It is undoubtedly a tragic and unfortunate incident. I would not blame the railways because the spot where the incident took place is not part of a defined elephant corridor. Instead, I would blame encroachment on reserved forests and wildlife sanctuaries which has compelled elephants to come out in search of food,¡±?Assam forest and environment minister Pramila Rani Brahma??told The Indian Express.