SHILLONG, June 25 — Elephant attacks have damaged 12 to 13 houses in Chirakatta village, prompting Mawsynram MLA Ollan Singh Suin to urge the state government to provide immediate relief to affected families. Suin visited the village with officials from the Wildlife Protection Department to assess damage and meet residents, and has sought rapid assistance under disaster management provisions.
Suin, who inspected the site on Wednesday and spoke to reporters on Thursday, said the team collected information for submission to the relevant departments. “We wanted to see the extent of the damage and understand the concerns of the people,” he said, describing the assessment as the first step toward relief and rehabilitation.
Although the houses were not completely destroyed, Suin reported they remain unsafe, forcing several families to seek shelter elsewhere. The incidents have heightened local concern over both immediate shelter needs and longer-term recovery for those who lost property or crops.
Wildlife officials demonstrated deterrent methods during the visit, including burning dried chillies to produce smoke intended to drive elephants away. Suin recommended that similar awareness programmes be organised in other villages prone to human-wildlife conflict to reduce future incidents.
Expressing frustration over delayed compensation, the MLA said reports on crop and property damage submitted last year have not yet resulted in relief for victims. To expedite assistance, Suin has written to the Minister in charge of Revenue and Disaster Management, requesting that such elephant-related incidents be treated under disaster management rules so relief can be disbursed within a fixed timeframe.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/06/26/mla-seeks-relief-for-mawsynram-jumbo-attack-victims/
Category: MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2026-06-26 05:38:00
