Sanjeev Prasad Shot Dead; Mixed reactions in Andamans

Muralidharan Pillai & D J Venkatesh

Mayabunder, Aug 04: A Joint Team of Police, Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn), Forest Department has killed the Musth Elephant, Sanjeev Prasad, which had been created havoc in North Andaman region since last eight days.

According to initial inputs received, during a search operation to locate the elephant inside the Mohanpur Jungle, the Musth Elephant had suddenly attacked the search party. The Search Team was sent following a tip off received from a villagers of Mohanpur. Villagers had informed the Assistant Commissioner of Diglipur, Dr. Vivek Kumar and sighting of ‘Sanjeev Prasad’ near forest camp Mohanpur. The matter was immediately communicated to DC, North and Middle Andaman, Mrs. Menaka and the team was sent to locate the Musth Elephant.

The team was assisted by Phakir Ch Dhanwar, Mahaut,  Laxmipur Range, Diglipur and Vikaram, Mahaut, Diglipur Range.

The team, which started at 08.00 AM reached 3 KM inside the jungle by walking for 50 minutes. Where they first rounded-up the Elephant and when the Elephant tried to attack the team, the armed Jawans opened fired and within seconds the guns were empty and within minutes ‘Sanjeev’ killed.

The villagers of Mohanpur are happy as they were waiting for this day since nearly one week. More than 300 people were accommodated in the Mohanpur GSS School from the last five days. Many of them were unable to look after their animals at home, which were without water and food.

However, a large section of Islanders have expressed displeasure over the killing of the Elephant, which could have been averted. According to public the Administration failed to take good care of the Elephant.

“Any well trained staff related to wild life can understand when a bull elephant will go ‘Musth’. In this case before going into ‘Musth’ the Forest Officials must have sedated the animal, which would have saved both the lives of Forester and the Elephant. Actually Administration is responsible for the death of Forester Kalidas and of course for the murder of ‘Sanjeev Prasad’,” said an Isander.

Sources said that are area where the team confronted with the elephant it was impossible to tranquilize the elephant and fire the tranquilizer gun. According to reports total 20 rounds were shot by the team members, out of which 10 hit the head of the Elephant.

Islanders argue that had the Forest Department taken necessary precautionary measures and filled the posts of Sr. Veterinary Doctors, which are vacant since last five years, in time such crisis could have averted.

The Musth elephant had killed one Forester of Andaman’s Forest Department on 29 July 2014 and had also attacked a private passenger bus at Andaman Trunk Road on 28 July 2014.

Earlier in 2006 and 2010 the same elephant had killed employees of Forest Department viz. Late Pitrus Kerketta, FCL on 09.11.2006 and Late Telesphor Xess on 14.03.2010.

Meanwhile, after conducted Post mortem by Dr. N.G. Poddar the body of the elephant was buried.

“In our society where Murderers and Rapists roam freely, Sanjeev Prasad was shot dead, just because he was unable to defend himself and he could not hire a lawyer to prove his innocence,” said another Islander. As Human Beings we have perhaps failed today.