Guwahati, July 3: Grief-stricken villagers of Deepor Beel today held special prayers in memory of the three elephants who were run over by a speeding train on June 20. They hoped that such incidents would not recur in future. The villagers went to Chakardeo, where the mishap had occurred, early this morning and observed religious rituals with flowers and other offerings.
Later, women gathered at the Chakardeo community centre and held special prayers.
?This is our way of paying obeisance to the elephants with which we have had an intimate bonding since ages,? Laxman Terong, a villager, said in a choked voice.
?They always cross our area to go to the beel, but they have never done any harm. The protection of these magnificent creatures should be everybody?s concern,? he added.
Villagers said the Railways should put up box-type culverts with a gap of one km near the railway line to help the elephants cross over.
?The wildlife protection force stationed here should be strengthened to prevent the elephants from going near the railway line,? Dipen Rongpi, another villager, said.
Echoing the sentiments of her neighbours, Rama Devi called upon the authorities to take steps to save the elephants.
Significantly, the report of the state government committee on environmental implications, associated with broad gauge alignment through the Deepor Beel area, had recommended in 1990 that the existing natural passes of wild animals, including elephants, should be protected.
?The alignment should be planned so as not to disturb the reserve forest and keep the displacement of the population of wild animals at a minimum,? the report had recommended.