Guwahati, Nov. 4 -- The Assam government has reduced the deadline for disbursing compensation to the next of kin of people killed in human-elephant conflict (HEC) from 72 hours to 48 hours, Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah announced on Tuesday.

The decision was announced at a meeting with senior Forest Department officials and Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) at Aranya Bhawan in Guwahati. The minister also announced plans to expand the state's Gajamitra teams from the existing 81 to at least 150 to strengthen efforts to prevent human-elephant conflict.

Under the revised timeline, families of people killed in elephant attacks will receive Rs 6 lakh in compensation within two days. Compensation of Rs 8,000 per bigha for crop damage wi...