Alipurduar, West Bengal – A tea garden worker was tragically killed by an elephant while on duty in Sankos Tea Garden, located in Kumargram block of Alipurduar district, early Friday morning.
The victim, identified as Anand Minj, was performing irrigation work in the garden before dawn on January 30, 2026. After completing his tasks, he reportedly rested and fell asleep in the area. His co-workers were not present nearby at the time of the incident, leaving him vulnerable to the attack.
Tea garden management discovered the scene shortly after and immediately notified the forest department. Officials from the forest department arrived to inspect the site and subsequently involved the local police for body recovery procedures.
Subhash Kishore Pal, Deputy Ranger, confirmed the details, stating that the exact number of elephants involved remains unknown but could possibly be three or four.
Human-elephant conflicts are a recurring issue in the Dooars region of North Bengal, where tea gardens border forested areas. Authorities have urged workers to exercise caution during early morning or late-night shifts and to avoid resting alone in vulnerable spots.
The incident has sparked concerns among locals and laborers.
