Bison on rampage in tea gardens of Jalpaiguri, paramilitary forces deployed

Jalpaiguri, May 13 (ANI): Paramilitary units from the Sashastra Suraksha Bal (SSB) have been deployed to control a bison on rampage in the tea gardens of Jalpaiguri on Wednesday.

Officials said that the bison entered the Dharanipur tea garden from nearby Diana forest of the Chapramari forest division.

Alarmed on seeing the animal on the loose along sections 22 and 23 of the forest, the villagers immediately contacted the forest officials who rushed to the forest.

“A bison was spotted near Dharanipur division early in the morning. Without losing time, we contacted the forest officials, but by then it was already running amok in the tea garden,” claimed Narayan Toppo, Assistant Manager of the Dharanipur tea garden.

The massive animal, with its sharp horns and angry demeanour appeared extremely formidable, but has not caused any damage yet. However, gun-toting SSB personnel have been on guard in the area to prevent any plausible damage.

“The bison had entered the tea garden from the nearby forest. It loitered around the 22nd and 23rd sections of the forest and since then has successfully hid itself in the midst of the trees and bushes,” said Bholanath Sahu, a worker.

Forest officials tried to scare the bison away from the tea garden. The bison initially went away when the officials burst crackers in order to scare the animal, but it returned soon after.

All work in the tea garden has come to a virtual standstill as the workers and residents of the villages in the vicinity have been asked to maintain a safe distance from the spot. (ANI)