The issue of tiger attacks has taken centre stage in Arunachal Pradesh’s political discourse, with the main opposition Congress launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led state government following the death of Arunachal Pradesh Police Head Constable Chikseng Manpang in a tiger attack near Mayodia.
The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has strongly criticised the government for what it termed negligence and administrative failure. APCC president Bosiram Siram said the tragic incident had once again exposed the “negligence of the State Wildlife Department and the complete failure of the BJP-led State Government in safeguarding human lives.”
“I strongly condemn this shocking incident, which is neither an act of fate nor an unavoidable natural occurrence. It is the direct consequence of administrative apathy, poor planning and a collapse of governance,” Siram said.
Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also came down heavily on the Forest Department over the recent tiger attack in Dibang Valley, describing it as a case of “gross negligence” and a “serious blunder” by officials.
“This is extremely sad and unfortunate. Such an incident should never have happened,” Mein said.
Following the incident, Forest Minister Wanki Lowang held a review meeting with senior officers of the Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change regarding the tiger attack along the Roing–Mayodia road inside Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary in Lower Dibang Valley district.
“The loss of human life is profoundly painful, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased in this moment of immense grief,” Lowang said after the meeting.
He informed that expert veterinary teams and wildlife specialists have been deployed to the site, while STPF guards and field staff have been mobilised for ground support.
“We will constitute a technical expert committee for continuous monitoring, and permission has been granted for the safe capture and rehabilitation of the animal as per national protocols,” Lowang said.
The minister further added that the department has initiated the process for providing ex gratia assistance of ₹10 lakh to the family of the deceased, along with extended institutional support at the district level.
“All actions are being carried out with utmost sensitivity, prioritising human safety while ensuring responsible and ethical wildlife management,” he said.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu, describing the incident as “shocking and unfortunate”, said the state government has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹10 lakh for the victim’s family.
Khandu added that immediate steps have been initiated to prevent such incidents from recurring and assured that public safety remains the government’s top priority.
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