In a tragic incident highlighting the escalating human-wildlife conflict in Assam, a Royal Bengal Tiger was killed by a mob in Golaghat district’s Dusutimukh village. The adult male tiger had reportedly been causing fear among locals for several weeks before being hunted down in the paddy fields of the Bokakhat subdivision.

Forest department officials confirmed that the tiger’s carcass was recovered later in the day, with several body parts including the skin, teeth, ears, and legs removed. A formal case has been filed, and authorities are working to identify and trace the individuals involved in the killing.

“We have registered a case and the police are identifying and tracing the people who were part of the mob,” stated a forest department official. The department emphasised that such acts not only violate wildlife protection laws but also jeopardise conservation efforts.

Mob Kills the Animal Brutally

The tiger was discovered hiding in a paddy field when it was surrounded by a large group of villagers armed with sticks and sharp tools. The mob proceeded to attack and kill the animal, blaming it for attacks on livestock and for creating a constant sense of danger.

Villagers said they had repeatedly raised concerns about the tiger’s presence and criticised the authorities for inaction. “We were living in fear for weeks, but the forest department took no serious steps. This tragedy could have been prevented,” one resident lamented.

Khumtai MLA Mrinal Saikia strongly condemned the mob action and termed the event “unfortunate and regrettable.” He called on the government to intervene and stressed the urgent need for a more robust system to manage wildlife-related threats.

The killing has reignited debates around the handling of wildlife intrusions in human-dominated landscapes, especially as habitats shrink and animals increasingly wander into populated areas in search of food and space.