Bangladeshi jumbo back from Tripura

A pregnant 'Helenbala Sundari' returns from the Indian territory after a 36-day stay on the other side of the border

Agartala, May 20 (bdnews24.com) - A Bangladeshi elephant which had strayed into Indian territory in Tripura accidently was sent back through Akhuara check-post after 36 days.

After a flag meeting on Saturday afternoon, India's Border Security Force (BSF) handed over the pregnant jumbo to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in presence of its owner.

The jumbo 'Helenbala Sundari', which belonged to the New Star Circus of Bangladesh, had fled and crossed over to Tripura on April 15 last through Akhaura.

Tripura forest department officials after a weeklong struggle had managed to trap it from the jungles of Amarpur in South Tripura, around 100 km from its entry point, and sent to the Shepahijala sanctuary.

The incident triggered wide spread panic among the local residents, but during its stay the elephant did not cause any harm inside India.

Thousands of people on both sides of the border had gathered to see Helenbala.

Her owner Haji Md Abdul Rahim and mahout Abdul Razzaq had also come to the border with three other tuskers to welcome back home their old friend.

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