Police Constable Killed in Suspected Tiger Attack on Arunachal Pradesh Highway

A police constable was killed during a late-night ride on the Roing-Anini road in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang Valley on Sunday, with forest officials suspecting a tiger attack in the densely forested Mayodia stretch.

The deceased has been identified as Chiksen Mangpang, a head constable from Manfaiseng village in Namsai district, who was returning home after completing his duty.

Preliminary accounts suggest Mangpang was travelling alone through the forested Mayodia area when he was attacked by a wild animal. A truck driver present at the scene provided crucial information to authorities, stating he witnessed a large animal drag the biker off the road.

This eyewitness account has led to suspicions that a tiger may have been responsible for the fatal attack.

Mangpang's motorcycle, bearing registration number AR-20-9866, was recovered abandoned by the roadside, strengthening concerns of a wildlife-related incident. The discovery of the vehicle without its rider prompted immediate alarm.

Officials from the forest department and police have launched a joint operation to assess the scene and determine which animal was responsible for the attack.

The Divisional Forest Officer of Roing confirmed that efforts are ongoing to conclusively establish the cause of death and verify whether a tiger was involved.

The incident has heightened concerns over night travel through the Mayodia corridor, a known wildlife zone with dense forest cover. Local residents and officials are calling for increased monitoring and safety measures for commuters using the route, particularly during nighttime hours when predatory animals are most active.