Census Enumerator Attacked by Dog in Dergaon: Safety Concerns Raised
Incident Overview
A female census enumerator was attacked by a dog while on duty, resulting in serious injuries.
Dergaon, Aug 19: A disturbing incident occurred today when a domestic hybrid dog attacked a female census enumerator in Dergaon, alarming both enumerators and local residents.
Trishna Saikia, an assistant teacher at Dergaon Girls’ Higher Secondary School, was performing her census duties when she was suddenly attacked by a dog belonging to Junti Bora, a local resident. The attack took place right in front of the gate near Dergaon Naren Sarma Memorial Field, leaving her with serious injuries. She was subsequently taken to Dergaon Hospital for medical attention.
The enumerator's husband has stated that they plan to file a formal complaint at the Dergaon Police Station against the dog's owner.
Bikoseeta Saikia, the executive officer of the Dergaon Municipality Board and the officer in charge of the census, expressed her concern over the incident. She noted that while enumerators often work alone, they must prioritize their safety. A meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow morning to address these safety issues with the enumerators.
This incident raises significant concerns regarding the safety protocols for enumerators, particularly female workers who must navigate unfamiliar areas alone, potentially exposing them to dangerous situations.
Prasanta Pradip Hazarika, a retired teacher and resident of Dergaon ward no. 7, emphasized the responsibility of dog owners to ensure the safety of government officials on duty, especially during the census.
Sochi Kr Gohain, president of the leading environmental organization Aashray, has also called on the Dergaon co-district administration to implement effective measures to protect on-duty officials and pedestrians from domestic dogs.