BALASORE : Death of two persons in elephant attacks in the last two days in Nilagiri has panicked locals.
While forest officials are engaged in driving away the tusker, victims are demanding compensation for the loss and protection from frequent elephant intrusion.
On Sunday, the tusker from Dalma sanctuary of Jharkhand trampled one Bhakta Charan Das (35) while he was asleep. The animal also feasted on paddy and other food grains stored in the house of Das. Earlier in the day, a woman was trampled to death by the same elephant at Tulasidhia village in Bhalukasuni panchayat. Phulamani Singh, 35, tried to escape on seeing the animal but in vain. The same elephants had killed one Sudam Majhi (58) of Baisinga area of Mayurbhanj district on July 1.
Divisional Forest Officer, Harsabardhan Udgata, said the tusker was one among the three elephants, which entered Nilagiri June 29. While one had left on July 12 and the second on July 19, the third elephant was wreaking havoc in the human habitations located close to the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
“The tusker has been driven out from Nilagiri and now it is camping in Asanbani forest of Betnoti in Mayurbhanj. We are keeping an eye on its movement to ensure that it does not enter Nilagiri again. Solar fences have also been put up,” Udgata said.
Meanwhile, locals have demanded adequate compensation for the kin of the deceased and damages to properties by the elephant. Local BJP activists also blocked the road on Monday and staged a demonstration before the DFO’s office demanding ex gratia.
Sources alleged that the forest officials of West Bengal are not cooperating with their Odisha counterparts in driving away the animal to Jharkhand. Though the tusker which had killed five persons in Mayurbhanj district was driven to West Bengal, locals and forest officials in the neighbouring State chased it back towards Odisha.
Man-Animal Conflict Continues
On Sunday, the tusker from Dalma sanctuary of Jharkhand trampled one Bhakta Charan Das (35) while he was asleep. The animal also ate paddy and other food grains stored in his house
A woman was trampled to death by the elephant at Tulasidhia village in Bhalukasuni panchayat. Phulamani Singh, 35, tried to escape on seeing the animal but in vain
This tusker was one among the three elephants, which sneaked into Nilagiri on June 29. While one had left on July 12 and the second on July 19, the third elephant was wreaking havoc in human habitations close to Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary