In Search of Chandratara: A Cross-Border Saga of an Elephant and Its Owner
Agartala, Jan 18, 2025, By Our Correspondent71
In the serene yet historically rich Unakoti district of Tripura, a rather unique legal issue has emerged that has captured the imagination of locals and the wider region. An elephant named Chandratara, which reportedly crossed the border from Bangladesh into India by mistake, has become the center of a cross-border custody battle.
On a typical September day, Chandratara, a domesticated elephant with a gentle demeanor, found herself wandering into Indian territory, seemingly confused by the demarcation that separates the two nations. The date was September 11, and the day was about to mark the beginning of a diplomatic tussle.
Enter Atikur Rahman, a resident of Moulvibazar, Bangladesh. Heartbroken and anxious about the whereabouts of his beloved Chandratara, Rahman took to social media, explaining in a poignant video message that his elephant might have strayed across the border unintentionally. To fortify his claim, Rahman provided photographs and ownership documents, delivered via his Indian relatives to both the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Forest Department.
However, this tale had a twist. Alongside Rahman, two Indian nationals also laid claim to Chandratara, creating a web of disputes and delays. The complexity of the situation prompted Rahman to take legal action in his homeland, filing a General Diary with the Kamalganj Police Station and lodging a formal complaint with the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
A crucial meeting between the BSF and BGB took place, where Rahman presented his valid documents, hoping for a swift resolution. But as it often happens in cross-border matters, the situation was more complicated than it seemed. With the elephant under the custody of the Tripura Forest Department, the BSF found themselves unable to facilitate its immediate return.
Amidst the administrative and legal quagmire, Rahman’s relative, Saleh Ahmed, stepped in and filed a court case in the Unakoti District Court. Rahman, meanwhile, expressed his unwavering faith in the Indian legal system, holding on to hope for a prompt resolution that would reunite him with his beloved Chandratara.
This story, set against the backdrop of lush greenery and age-old traditions, serves as a poignant reminder of how borders, while designed to separate, can also bring shared stories of loss, hope, and the enduring bond between humans and their animal companions.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the residents of Unakoti and Moulvibazar alike wait with bated breath, united in their collective empathy for Chandratara and her devoted owner, Atikur Rahman.