GUWAHATI: The Assam police arrested eight individuals on Thursday night, November 21, for attacking a Royal Bengal tigress with stones and sticks, leaving the animal critically injured and nearly blind. The incident had taken place in Kaliabor, Nagaon.
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The attack first came to light after videos of the incident surfaced, prompting a forest ranger to lodge an FIR. The three-year-old tigress had strayed out of the Kamakhya Reserve Forest, triggering fears among local residents.
Following the situation, authorities quickly imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, restricting movement in the affected area between Debasatra Gaon and Miribheti Gaon from 4 PM to 9 AM to protect both human lives and the animal.
The tigress was finally rescued near a railway bridge on November 20 and transported to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation near Kaziranga National Park. Preliminary assessments indicate the animal may have lost vision in one eye, as the forest department has sought assistance from a veterinary ophthalmologist for further evaluation.
Videos of the attack on the tiger had spread online, leading to outrage among animal lovers and conservationists.
The arrested individuals face legal action, as they have been charged under the Wildlife Protection Act.