Cop on vacation dies in elephant attack

Alipurduar: A constable of the West Bengal Police (WBP), Sintu Tigga (45), serving with the Darjeeling District Police, died in a tragic elephant attack early Sunday morning while on vacation at his home in South Latabari village, Kalchini block, Alipurduar.

Recounting the ordeal, Sintu’s brother, Pintu Tigga, said, “Sintu came home on Saturday afternoon on leave.

After having dinner, he went to bed. Early Sunday morning, a wild elephant uprooted a coconut tree above his bedroom, causing panic. Sintu and his family rushed outside in fear. The elephant then moved towards another neighbour’s house and we tried to distract it by shouting and using flashlights. The elephant charged at us. Sintu was running away when he tripped and fell. The elephant trampled him to death in front of our eyes. We could not do anything to save him.” Forest officials from the nearby Nimati Range of Buxa Tiger Reserve rushed to the scene but were unable to intervene in time. Sintu’s body was later sent to Alipurduar District Hospital for an autopsy by Kalchini police.

The Forest depatment announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to his family, as per government rules. District Superintendent of Police Y Raghuvamshi, expressed condolences to the bereaved family, stating: “It is a very unfortunate incident. We will provide all possible assistance to the family of the policeman.”