Golaghat, Aug. 25: An elephant was electrocuted at Katonibari tea estate at Mariani in Jorhat district after it came in contact with an overhead high-tension electric line in the wee hours today.

Sources said the elephant had strayed out of Hoollongapar Gibbon sanctuary in search of food.

Forest department sources said officials rushed to the spot after getting information about the incident along with veterinarians from Jorhat and carried out the post-mortem and cremated the jumbo.

Divisional forest officer of Jorhat forest division Sapan Saikia told The Telegraph that he had ordered the Mariani range officer to lodge an FIR against the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) for alleged negligence.

"We have been urging the APDCL's Jorhat division for a long time to raise the power lines and repair sagging wires and posts but nothing has been done in this regard," he said.

Another wild elephant was electrocuted at Sonapur in Kamrup district in June.

"Several wild elephants have died in the area of electrocution. The APDCL needs to take the issue seriously. Apart from the FIR, we are working on available legal options and will also inform the Project Elephant authorities," he added.

The official said a joint survey was also carried out by the forest department and APDCL officials for identification of low-lying power lines passing through elephant habitats and migratory corridors under Jorhat division.

The survey report was submitted to the APDCL but no action has not been taken so far, Saikia said.

Nearly 30 people have been electrocuted in the state since June, with people and various organisations blaming the APDCL for the incidents.