Video: Rhino gets hit by truck in Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma reacts

A truck apparently going over the speed limit hit a rhinoceros on a highway in the Kaziranga National Park area in Assam, prompting a strong reaction from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma .

Sarma on Sunday shared a video clipping of the incident on National Highway 37 saying his government will not allow infringement on the rhino's space.

The 10-second video shows the rhino suddenly enter the road in the Haldibari Animal Corridor from the left. The driver serves a bit to the right, but still hits the rhino which fell down.


The animal was so shocked afterwards that it stumbled and fell a second time as it tried to go back to where it came from. It finally got up and limped back into the forest.

Sarma said the rhino survived the accident and that the driver was intercepted and fined

"Rhinos are our special friends; we'll not allow any infringement on their space," the CM said in his tweet

Sarma also said his government is working on a special 32-km elevated corridor - from Jakhalabandha to Bokakhat - protect animals at Kaziranga from vehicles.

PTI quoted forest officials as saying the truck was going at 52 km per hours, which is above the 40 kph speed linit in the area.

Among those who strongly reacted was actress Raveena Tandon, who asked authorities to "fence off the roads and highways that are cutting through the forests."

"Why can't we fence off the roads and highways that are cutting through the forests????? Under/ over passes desperately needed!!! when will we learn and act," she tweeted.

Other users were split over the action against the truck driver , with some saying the video did not show any fault on his part.

Others pointed out he was fined for overspeeding. A few others said the speed limit should be lowered further.