Roing, Lower Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh – Authorities have registered an FIR against the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Roing following the fatal tiger attack on a local resident in the district. The complaint accuses the forest official of criminal negligence and failure to act on repeated warnings about tiger presence in human habitation areas, which ultimately led to the tragic death.
The development has intensified public anger and calls for accountability in wildlife conflict management in one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most biodiversity-rich yet sensitive districts.
Background of the Fatal Incident
The victim, a middle-aged farmer from a village near Roing, was attacked and killed by a tiger while working in his field in late January 2026. Locals had previously informed forest department officials about frequent tiger sightings and movement near settlements, including requests for early warning systems, fencing, or temporary relocation support—none of which were reportedly acted upon in time.
Family members and villagers allege that despite multiple verbal and written complaints over several weeks, no effective preventive measures—such as installing solar sirens, deploying rapid response teams, or initiating habitat diversion strategies—were implemented by the Roing Forest Division.
FIR Registered Under Key Sections
On February 4, 2026, an FIR was lodged at Roing Police Station under sections including:
- Section 304A IPC (causing death by negligence)
- Relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (for alleged dereliction in duty related to human-wildlife conflict mitigation)
- Section 166 IPC (public servant disobeying law)
The complainant, a relative of the deceased, has accused the DFO of gross negligence, delay in response, and failure to discharge official responsibilities that could have prevented the fatality.
Police have begun preliminary inquiry and are recording statements from villagers, forest staff, and eyewitnesses. The case has been forwarded to senior officers for further investigation.
Public Outrage and Demands
The incident has sparked widespread protests and criticism across Lower Dibang Valley:
- Villagers blocked roads briefly demanding immediate suspension of the DFO and compensation for the family
- Local organizations and student unions have called for a high-level judicial probe into wildlife conflict handling in the district
- Many accuse the forest department of prioritizing paperwork over ground-level action in tiger-prone zones
This is not the first instance of public anger over perceived administrative lapses in human-tiger conflict cases in Arunachal Pradesh. Similar demands for accountability have surfaced in recent years in districts like Papum Pare, East Siang, and Changlang.
Forest Department’s Position
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) office has stated that an internal inquiry has been initiated and that standard protocol for ex-gratia relief (₹5 lakh as per current norms) is being processed for the next of kin. Officials maintain that tiger attacks remain unpredictable and that the department has been actively installing early-warning systems and awareness campaigns across tiger corridors.
However, critics argue that reactive measures are insufficient and that proactive corridor management, community involvement, and faster decision-making are urgently needed.
The FIR against a senior forest officer is a rare step in wildlife-related negligence cases in the Northeast and is being closely watched for its implications on administrative accountability in human-wildlife conflict zones.
Relevant Tags
Tiger Attack Arunachal, Roing DFO FIR, Dibang Valley Tiger Death, Human-Tiger Conflict Negligence, Lower Dibang Valley Wildlife, Forest Officer Accountability, Arunachal Wildlife Conflict, Tiger Attack Compensation, Northeast Tiger Incidents, Roing Forest Division
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#TigerAttack #ArunachalPradesh #RoingDFO #DibangValley #HumanTigerConflict #WildlifeNegligence #ArunachalWildlife #TigerDeath #NortheastNews #ForestAccountability
