The human–elephant conflict in the greater Rani area along the Assam–Meghalaya border under the West Guwahati Legislative Assembly Constituency has escalated sharply, leaving residents living near forest fringes in a state of constant fear. Frequent incursions by wild elephant herds have not only damaged property and food reserves but have also deeply affected the mental well-being and economic stability of local communities.
On Tuesday night, a herd of elephants entered the Nargaon and Thakuriapara areas, causing widespread destruction. Around 11 pm, the animals reportedly broke into the house of Nehru Talukdar in Nargaon, damaging boundary fencing, doors, and windows before consuming paddy stored inside. The sudden attack triggered panic, forcing residents to flee their homes in the dark to avoid possible casualties.
The herd later moved to Thakuriapara in Mekurikuchi, where it entered the residence of Manik Thakuria. The elephants damaged the kitchen walls and destroyed significant quantities of rice meant for household use. During the incident, a 12-year-old girl, Bhanita Thakuria, was trapped inside the kitchen while the elephants were feeding. Her cries alerted villagers, who raised loud noises and disturbances, eventually forcing the herd to retreat. The minor was rescued unharmed, though the incident left the family and neighbours severely shaken.
Residents say such incidents have become frequent in the Rani belt, which falls along a traditional elephant corridor linking forest areas of Assam and Meghalaya. According to villagers, loss of forest cover, scarcity of natural food, and expanding human settlements near forest boundaries are compelling elephants to enter villages in search of paddy and stored grains.
Farmers in the area report repeated losses to crops and homes, pushing many families into financial hardship. Daily life has been disrupted, with villagers staying awake at night to guard their properties and fields, fearing sudden elephant raids.
Local residents have expressed concern over what they describe as an inadequate response from the Forest Department. They claim that measures such as early warning systems, regular patrolling, and community awareness programmes are insufficient. Villagers have urged authorities to adopt urgent and scientific interventions, strengthen elephant corridors, and ensure timely compensation to reduce the risk to both humans and wildlife.
With tensions rising, residents warn that without immediate and long-term solutions, the worsening human–elephant conflict in the Rani region could soon lead to loss of human life, further intensifying the crisis in this vulnerable forest-edge landscape.
