Partially blind elephant hit by a goods train

Guwahati, Oct 17 : An adult, partially blind elephant was critically injured when it was hit by a goods train while another elephant accompanying it escaped with minor injuries on Thursday near Deepor Beel in Kamrup District of Assam.

The two wild adult elephants were treading their usual path when they came in front of the goods train.

One elephant escaped into the forest with minor injuries while the 38-year-old female elephant was severely hurt in the near fatal collision.

The female elephant, with serious injuries, is at present battling for life and doctors are trying hard to save its life.

"The elephant has been severely injured. We can't say that we will be able to save it for sure but we will definitely try," said K. R. Gogoi, veterinary doctor, Assam State Zoo.

Locals blame the rail authorities for failing to curb such incidents.

"We requested the forest department and the railways to come up with some solution and take steps to save these elephants. So far the government has not taken any step. This is the Government's job. We can't do anything about it," said Lakhan Terron, a local resident.

The Rani Reserve forest on the Assam-Meghalaya border is a hub of wild elephants. The elephants need to cross the rail track for water.

This is not for the first time that such an incident has taken place in the area. The beginning of the year also saw the death of two elephants.

ANI