Wild elephant terror continues to haunt residents of Jharkhand’s Chaibasa as six more people were trampled to death by a tusker, said to have been separated from its herd. The incident took place in the
Bharbaria village under the Noamundi block of West Singhbhum.
Meanwhile, two others sustained serious injuries and are undergoing treatment in the hospital. During the past seven days, the elephants have killed a total of 16 people in the region, with the latest incident having occurred on late Tuesday night, January 6, within the jurisdictions of Noamundi and Hatgamariah police stations.
The victims of the incident have been identified as Sanatan Meral, his wife Jonko Kui, their two children, and two other members of the family. According to the officials, the incident took place around 10 P.M. when an elephant suddenly attacked the house while everyone was asleep.
Meanwhile, one child managed to escape the house and survived the attack. Chaibasa Divisional Forest Officer Aditya Narayan confirmed the incident and said, “A day earlier, the same elephant had killed seven people in the Kolhan forest range under Goilkera police station, including a young man and his two children”, as quoted by The New Indian Express.
He added that the elephant is altering its locations consistently, making it difficult for the officials to track the animal.
According to the DFO, a team of experts has been called in from West Bengal to assist in tranquillising and capturing the elephant.
They have also sought assistance from the wildlife conservation organisation ‘Vantara’, he said, adding that further action will be taken once they arrive. The repeated attacks by the elephants have triggered panic and chaos in the region, with the tuskers venturing into populated areas.
Residents have been advised to stay away from the forest zones and remain cautious.
