The recent tiger attack that killed head constable Chikseng Manpang in Lower Dibang Valley district has triggered strong reactions from community organisations and political groups, with demands for immediate action, investigation, and accountability from the authorities responsible for wildlife management and public safety. The Idu Mishmi Cultural and Literary Society (IMCLS), the apex body of the Idu Mishmi community, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the police officer and said the tragedy could have been prevented if timely steps had been taken. Manpang lost his life on Monday night while returning from duty near the Mehao community forest area. His death has created fear among residents of Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley districts, where people regularly travel through forested roads. In a detailed statement, the IMCLS said that for several months local residents, public representatives, and village leaders had repeatedly warned the forest department and other authorities about tigers frequently moving near villages, roads, and human settlements. According to the organisation, several videos showing tigers walking on roads both during the day and at night had circulated widely, indicating that the animals had begun moving without fear of vehicles or people. The society said that despite these warnings, no strong preventive measures were taken, no high-risk zones were formally declared, and no sustained monitoring or capture operations were carried out.The IMCLS described the incident as a serious administrative failure and demanded immediate identification, capture, and relocation of the tiger responsible for the attack, following legal procedures and safety protocols. The organisation also called for the deployment of a full-scale rapid response team in the affected areas around the Mehao community forest and nearby settlements to prevent further incidents. It further demanded that officials who failed to act despite repeated warnings should be held accountable and that the bereaved family should receive compensation without delay.
At the same time, the IMCLS cautioned authorities not to use the incident as a reason to push for hurried policy decisions such as declaring new tiger reserves or expanding protected areas without proper consultation with local communities. The organisation said that any such decisions must be taken only after addressing existing issues related to wildlife sanctuary boundaries and after following due legal and consultative processes.The society also highlighted that the Idu Mishmi community has a long-standing cultural tradition that strictly prohibits killing or hunting tigers, even when livestock losses occur. This cultural practice, it said, has helped maintain ecological balance in the region for generations. However, the organisation added that respect for wildlife should not be taken as acceptance of administrative inaction when human lives are at risk, and the responsibility to manage conflict situations lies with the authorities.Meanwhile, the state unit of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) has also blamed the state government, the forest department, and national wildlife authorities for failing to take timely preventive measures. In a press statement, the organisation said that reports and videos of tigers moving along the Roing–Anini road had been circulating for weeks, but no effective action was taken. The IYC said that this inaction resulted in a tragic and irreversible loss.
Manpang had been returning to Roing from Anini after performing security duty at the Cabinet Aapke Dwar programme when the attack occurred near the Mayudia pass area. Referring to the event, the IYC questioned whether holding cabinet-level programmes in remote and high-risk locations was necessary when adequate administrative infrastructure already exists elsewhere. The organisation said such decisions should consider the safety of officials, security personnel, and the general public. The Youth Congress further demanded a thorough investigation into the incident and called for strict action against any officials found responsible for negligence. It also supported the demand raised by the victim’s family and members of the community for compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job for one eligible family member. Both the IMCLS and the IYC stressed that the safety of people living in forest-connected regions must be treated as the highest priority. They said proper wildlife monitoring systems, timely alerts, and emergency response teams are necessary in areas where wild animals frequently move close to human settlements. Residents of Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley districts have expressed concern that daily travel between the two districts has become difficult due to fear of further wildlife attacks.
