Rhino strays into paddy field, triggers panic at Sivasagar village; 1 injured

Dibrugarh: A one-horned rhinoceros strayed out of its natural habitat and caused widespread chaos in the Gaurisagar area of Sivasagar district on Thursday, triggering panic among locals.The rhino was first spotted roaming freely in a paddy field near the Mitong river at Khonamukh village around 9 am.The unexpected visitor turned aggressive, attacking and injuring a 52-year-old man, Dipankar Konwar, while he was working in his paddy field during the ongoing harvesting season. Following the attack, Konwar was swiftly rescued and admitted to the Sivasagar Civil Hospital by a forest team dispatched from the Sivasagar Range forest office.Witnessing the massive animal — a species typically confined to protected reserves — workers in the paddy fields fled in terror. Men and women scrambled “helter-skelter” to escape the rhino’s path. Despite the panic, a large crowd quickly gathered at a distance to watch the rhinoceros.Forest department personnel are trying to safely guide the confused rhino back to a suitable habitat.A senior forest official said, “We are monitoring the situation closely and taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of both the animal and the public. Rhinos can become aggressive when stressed or cornered, so we are repeatedly urging people to maintain a safe distance and allow our teams to work without interference.”The rhino’s presence in Sivasagar has greatly puzzled forest officials, as the nearest known population resides in the Kaziranga National Park (KNP), located approximately 145 km away. Officials remain uncertain about the route the animal took to travel such a considerable distance to reach the village.“The rhino’s presence here is unusual and we are investigating its possible route,” the forest official added.The Indian rhinoceros, distinguished by its single horn, is primarily confined to Assam’s protected reserves like Kaziranga. However, authorities note a rising frequency of such encounters. Habitat destruction and seasonal flooding are some of the key factors. Animals are often forced to seek refuge outside their habitats bringing them into closer, and sometimes conflict-ridden, contact with human settlements.