Five Monkeys Die After Electrocution in Tura

Shillong: Five monkeys died near Gandrak Dare in Tura on Wednesday morning. The animals suffered fatal electrocution after contacting high-voltage power lines. This marks the fifth such incident reported by wildlife officials in the area.

Since 2021, following the COVID-19 pandemic, monkey troupes have frequently roamed into human settlements near the base of the Tura hills to scavenge for food. Some of these animals have now paid the ultimate price for the dangerous infrastructure.

Wildlife officials previously warned the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited, MeECL, to relocate the hazardous power lines to protect both people and wildlife. The agency has failed to act. "Ia kenbegnigipa aro bilakbegipa bijolini silitingrangko, manderangna aro hurorangnaba kenna nangani donggijagipa biap gita salskachina MeECL-na u·iatmanahachim indiba da·o dipet maming ja·kurangko de·a dongkujaenga ineba Wildlife official-rang u·iataha." Despite these formal requests, no corrective measures have been taken to date.