John Wilbert &Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Jan 31: In a tragic incident, a search operation for Burmese poachers resulted in the accidental death of 45-year-old forest mazdoor, Mr. MarianusToppno at Tilonchaung Island.
As per reports, an Indian Coast Guard recently spotted two Myanmarese poaching dinghies off the Tilonchaung Island on January 24, 2023, during a routine patrol in the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. However, one more dinghy managed to escape, and the other grounded near the Tilonchaung Island shore, after which the poachers fled into the dense jungle, it is presumed.
Police and forest teams reportedly initiated a search operation in the islands and nearby areas, and on January 28, 2023, forest mazdoor Mr. MarianusToppno accidentally slipped in the jungle, suffering a serious head injury. Despite efforts to evacuate him, heavy rainfall prevented a Coast Guard ship from reaching Tilogchaung Islands, leading to Toppno’s death due to his injuries.
The police and Assistant Commissioner Nicobar informed the ANC command and Coast Guard for immediate evacuation of Toppno’s body to Kamota. The Coast Guard ship finally moved to Tilogchaung Islands for evacuation on January 31, 2023, at around 04:00 PM. Further details are still being awaited.
