Tragic death of elephant in NRL Township: 2 senior managers of NRL arrested, sent to jail

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 24, 2024

Finally, two senior managers of Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) were arrested by the forest authorities on Wednesday in connection with the “mysterious death” and “secret burial” of a female elephant at NRL Township in Upper Assam’s Golaghat district.

The arrested officials are: Ujjal Nayan Handique, chief manager, NRL Township; and Bedanga Kashyap, manager, NRL Township.

They have been charged under case number G/WL/02/2024-25 under the Forest Conservation Act, 1972.

The duo was arrested after six-hour long interrogation by a team of forest personnel led by investigation officer forester Sariful Islam at Salmara Forest Range office.

The accused officers were produced before the court of the chief judicial magistrate (CJM) of Golaghat, who remanded them to 14-day judicial custody.

The elephant was electrocuted on July 18 after contacting an exposed armoured cable in Butterfly Park, adjacent to the NRL township. The carcass was discovered on July 19, prompting the forest authorities to file a case (GWL/02/2014-25) against two senior NRL officials.

It is alleged that the animal was secretly buried inside NRL Township at the advice of the two accused officers.

The oil refinery reported the death late, after burying the carcass, a severe violation given the elephant’s Schedule 1 status under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. The carcass was exhumed, and a post-mortem was conducted, with results expected by July 23.

Golaghat Divisional Forest Officer Sushil Kumar Thakuria said they are investigating this case as the elephant was buried without informing the forest officials.

Environmental activist Apurba Ballav Goswami who has been vocal against the death and burial of the elephant expressed satisfaction at the arrest of the two officials.

 “Elephants are protected by Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The unnatural death in an oil refinery township due to electrocution and attempts to cover up the issue attracts heavy punishment under the Act. These electrical lines belong to NRL and are carelessly laid in an area frequented by elephants,” Goswami added.

Meanwhile, environmental activist Rohit Choudhury demanded the arrest of alal people involved in the secret burial of the elephant and said that none should be spared in this case.