Patrolling intensified in Arunachal’s Mayodia following constable’s death in tiger mauling

Dibrugarh: Security forces have stepped up night patrolling and deployed expert teams in the Mayodia area of Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley following the fatal tiger attack on police head constable Chikseng Manpang.

The big cats, however, remain unsighted since the Feb 2 incident.Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary DFO Mito Rumi said on Friday a veterinary team from Itanagar, equipped with darting guns, tranquilising drugs, and specialised equipment, has been stationed in the area. “We have also sought assistance from officers of Namdapha, Pakke, and Kamlang tiger reserves to support our operations,” Rumi said.Manpang, a 33-year-old radio operator from Roing police station, was mauled while riding his motorcycle from Anini to Roing on Feb 2.

His body was recovered the next day after an extensive search.The situation grew more complex when the carcass of an adult female tiger with a gunshot wound was discovered on Feb 5 in the same area. “It is not certain whether this was the same tiger that killed the constable. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of its death,” the DFO said, raising concerns of possible retaliatory killing. A team has been formed to oversee the necropsy and disposal of the tigress’s carcass in line with National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines.

The panel, chaired by DFO Rumi, includes Itanagar Biological Park veterinary officer Dr Tadap Sorang, WTI CRBC senior veterinary surgeon Dr Panjit Basumatary, senior veterinary officer (Roing) Dr Subi Migri, veterinary officer (Roing) Dr Techi Ana, and honorary wildlife warden Ipra Mekola.Authorities have urged commuters to exercise extreme caution while travelling along the Mayodia route, particularly during evening and night hours. Restrictions on night travel, especially for two-wheelers, remain in force along the high-risk stretch near Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary.