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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/27/indian-police-use-elephants-to-evict-illegal-settlers
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Indian police use elephants to evict illegal settlers | Indian police use elephants to evict illegal settlers |
| (30 days later) | |
| Animals were used in protected forest area in Assam, where authorities want to demolish about 1,000 bamboo and tin huts | Animals were used in protected forest area in Assam, where authorities want to demolish about 1,000 bamboo and tin huts |
| Michael Safi and agencies | Michael Safi and agencies |
| Mon 27 Nov 2017 15.04 GMT | Mon 27 Nov 2017 15.04 GMT |
| Last modified on Wed 14 Feb 2018 17.04 GMT | |
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| Indian police have taken the unusual step of using elephants in an attempt to evict hundreds of people living illegally in a protected forest area in the country’s remote north-east. | Indian police have taken the unusual step of using elephants in an attempt to evict hundreds of people living illegally in a protected forest area in the country’s remote north-east. |
| Local people hurled rocks at police who used bulldozers and the elephants in a show of force in Amchang wildlife sanctuary in Assam state. | Local people hurled rocks at police who used bulldozers and the elephants in a show of force in Amchang wildlife sanctuary in Assam state. |
| The police commissioner, Hiren Nath, said five protesters were injured in a scuffle after officers deployed teargas to disperse them. | The police commissioner, Hiren Nath, said five protesters were injured in a scuffle after officers deployed teargas to disperse them. |
| Authorities plan to demolish about 1,000 bamboo and tin huts. | Authorities plan to demolish about 1,000 bamboo and tin huts. |
| The state forest minister, Pramila Brahma, said the area was an elephant habitat and the unauthorised settlements were forcing the animals to leave in search of food. There have been many incidents in which wild elephants have killed people and destroyed crops after entering villages. | The state forest minister, Pramila Brahma, said the area was an elephant habitat and the unauthorised settlements were forcing the animals to leave in search of food. There have been many incidents in which wild elephants have killed people and destroyed crops after entering villages. |
| Nath said the police action followed a court order to clear the forest of illegal encroachment by Thursday. Residents had argued they had legally bought the land before finding out it sat within a protected forestry area. | Nath said the police action followed a court order to clear the forest of illegal encroachment by Thursday. Residents had argued they had legally bought the land before finding out it sat within a protected forestry area. |
| The eviction drive is being carried out by wildlife wardens, with police providing protection against possible attacks by residents. | The eviction drive is being carried out by wildlife wardens, with police providing protection against possible attacks by residents. |
| According to a 2014 forestry department survey, about 6,000 people have built homes inside the wildlife sanctuary at 24 locations. | According to a 2014 forestry department survey, about 6,000 people have built homes inside the wildlife sanctuary at 24 locations. |
| Some environmentalists oppose the use of the animals to demolish structures, arguing it runs counter to their natural instincts and can cause them serious injury. But the elephants are able to reach some settlements more easily than excavators. | Some environmentalists oppose the use of the animals to demolish structures, arguing it runs counter to their natural instincts and can cause them serious injury. But the elephants are able to reach some settlements more easily than excavators. |
| Those living inside the sanctuaries argue they should be given alternative houses before their existing homes are demolished. | Those living inside the sanctuaries argue they should be given alternative houses before their existing homes are demolished. |
| Two people were reportedly killed and 17 injured, including 15 police officers, when protesters clashed with authorities during an elephant-led demolition drive in Kaziranga national park in September 2016. | Two people were reportedly killed and 17 injured, including 15 police officers, when protesters clashed with authorities during an elephant-led demolition drive in Kaziranga national park in September 2016. |
| India | India |
| Wildlife | Wildlife |
| South and Central Asia | South and Central Asia |
| Animals | Animals |
| Conservation | Conservation |
| news | news |
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